Wine Tasting in Lake Chelan: A Guide to Sipping Like a Local
Lake Chelan Wine Tasting
Why Lake Chelan is Washington’s Hidden Gem
When most people think of Washington wine country, they picture Walla Walla or Yakima Valley. But just north in the Cascade Mountains, Lake Chelan is quietly building a reputation as one of the most exciting AVAs in the state. The lake’s glaciers carved out rocky soils that are perfect for grapes, and the long summer days balanced by cool nights give the wines a freshness and vibrancy that you won’t find anywhere else.
The Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area (AVA), established in 2009, may be young, but the wines are already turning heads. With more than 40 wineries dotting the shoreline, wine tasting here is less crowded, more adventurous, and a lot more fun.
Planning Your Wine Tasting Weekend
If you’re planning a weekend of wine tasting in Lake Chelan, it helps to know the lay of the land. The wineries are spread out on both the Chelan and Manson (sometimes referred to as the South Shore and North Shore) sides of the lake.
Chelan side (South Shore): closer to downtown, easy access, stunning lake views.
Manson side (North Shore): more boutique and farming oriented, family-owned wineries (this is where you’ll find us at Hard Row to Hoe).
Most tasting rooms recommend reservations, especially in summer and fall. Bring a cooler for any bottles you buy — nothing worse than cooking your Pinot in the back seat.
What to Sip in Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan wineries experiment more than most. You’ll find the big Washington classics — Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot — but also some rare surprises:
Pinot Noir – Rare in Washington, but thriving in Chelan’s cool microclimate. Expect elegance, not muscle.
Cabernet Franc – Our flagship at Hard Row to Hoe. Savory, silky, and perfectly suited to our soils.
Viognier & Rosé – Refreshing, crisp, and ideal for lake days.
Amphora & Native Ferment Wines – For the adventurous palate, several wineries (us included) lean into natural methods and clay vessel aging.
Every sip tells the story of the lake — the stony and rocky soils, the glacial gravels, and the tenacious growers who coax vines out of this rugged terrain.
Sip Like a Local
Here’s the secret: locals don’t try to hit every winery in one trip. They savor a few at a time, pair the tasting with good food, and leave room to come back for more. Opt for either the South Shore or the North Shore for the day’s itinerary.
Pro tips:
Start early (before the summer heat).
Split tastings with a friend — more wines to try, less palate fatigue.
Pair with food — some wineries offer small bites or full menus. A glass of Cabernet Franc with local charcuterie tastes like vacation distilled.
Ask about the winery’s story. Each winery has its own personality that you will discover by learning about the origins or winemaking philosophy at each stop. (At Hard Row, we’ll let you decide if you want the “brothel at Point Lovely” part of the story to repeat itself…)
The Hard Row to Hoe Experience
Our name is a nod to that very story — back in the 1930s, miners at Holden Mine rowed across Lake Chelan for a “good time” at the Point Lovely resort. These days, folks row, drive, or bike their way to our tasting room for a more refined kind of pleasure and discover all the naughty nuances.
At Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards, we specialize in:
Estate-grown Pinot Noir (a unicorn in Washington).
Flagship Cabernet Franc that shows off our vineyard’s unique terroir.
Playful wines with cheeky names (yes, Shameless Hussy is as fun as it sounds).
Organic and sustainable farming, because we want this lake to be as beautiful for the next generation as it is for us now.
Wine should be serious in the glass but fun in the tasting room. That’s our philosophy.
When to Visit Lake Chelan Wineries
Each season has its own charm:
Spring: Wildflowers bloom, crowds are light, new releases hit the shelves. Patios and picnic weather.
Summer: Peak lake vibes, sun, and rosé season. Time to enjoy a bottle of something on ice.
Fall: Harvest energy, grape-stained boots, and crisp air. Purple grapes clusters on the vines, wine making in action, Halloween activities.
Winter: Quiet, cozy tastings by the fire. S’mores and sledding ( you have not lived until you’ve experience a warm, gooey, sweet S’more paired with a crisp, cold, juicy Viognier!).
Ready to Taste Lake Chelan?
Don’t just taste a Lake Chelan wine — taste the wines that tell the story of the lake itself. Look for the words “Lake Chelan” on the label to be assured that the grapes to make the wine were grown right here ( and not 3 hours down I-90).
Book your tasting at Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards and sip your way through estate-grown Pinot Noir, our flagship Cabernet Franc, and a few rule-breakers that might just row you into uncharted waters.