Visiting Lake Chelan? Start here.
Plan your tasting trip in one of Washington’s newest AVAs - and discover why Hard Row to Hoe is the most fun stop on the lake
What makes Lake Chelan Wineries Unique?
Planning a trip to Lake Chelan wine country? With more than 40 wineries along the lake, the scene is as refreshing as the water itself. Here’s what makes Lake Chelan wineries unique — and why Hard Row to Hoe should be your first stop
Lake Chelan is more than a pretty lake - it’s one of Washington’s newest AVAs (Americal Viticultural Area) and it stands out for these big reasons:
Glacially carved soils rich in glacial rock and volcanic pumice that give wines their minerality
A deep, glacier-fed, 50-mile lake that moderates temperatures and keeps the grapes balanced
High-elevation sunshine and desert-like climate that delivers vibrant acidity and fresh, lively flavors. Ripening occurs late in the season with cool nights and warm days.
Crystal-clear glacial waters irrigate our vines
It’s the perfect place for Pinot Noir to thrive, Cabernet Franc to shine, and adventurous wines to show true terroir
Hard Row to Hoe: A Winery with a Wink 😉
Hard Row isn’t just another Chelan winery. We’re the rowboat that ferries you into the past — inspired by a risqué little piece of local history — while pouring estate wines that capture this rare terroir.
Flagship Cabernet Franc: Bold, structured, and unapologetically Chelan.
Rare Pinot Noir: Delicate yet driven, thriving in our unique microclimate.
Experimental & Estate Wines: Native ferments, amphoras, single-vineyard bottlings — we like to play hard in the cellar.
Our name nods to a bit of Chelan’s colorful history — when a rowboat ferried miners across the lake to a certain lodge of ill repute. We row that story forward with wines that are just as bold, adventurous, and fun.
The most fun you can have with your cork out!
Plan Your Visit
Why do frisky wine enthusiasts love Hard Row to Hoe?
🚤 Two Tasting Rooms
Visit us in Lake Chelan (lake views) or Leavenworth (Bavarian charm).
🌱 Sustainable Vineyards
Our estate is farmed organically and Salmon-Safe certified.
🍇 Estate-Grown Wines
Single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc + others that show true Lake Chelan terroir.
🍷 Adventurous wine making. You’ll never get bored with our distinctive and engaging wine selection
Wine Tasting Tips for Lake Chelan Visitors
Not sure how to spend a day exploring Lake Chelan wineries? We’ve put together our insider guide with tasting routes, local tips, and must-see stops in the Valley.