3 Wineries Located on Richland, WA's Tulip Lane

J. Bookwalter, Barnard Griffin, Tagaris Call Short Street Home

Aug 4, 2009

Tulip Lane in rural Richland, Washington, isn't very long, but it is home to three award-winning Mid-Columbia wineries: Tagaris, Barnard Griffin and Tagaris.

Tulip Lane is less than half a mile long, short enough that wine enthusiasts can walk between them. Each winery has its own personality, but the common thread is the number of awards each has won for its wines.

Washington’s Mid-Columbia region is becoming famous for its wines. The Mid-Columbia is on the same latitude as the great wine regions in France. There are probably 200 wineries between Yakima and Walla Walla, Washington, with more opening all the time. Many of the wineries are only short distances apart., though usually not as close as those on Tulip Lane.

J. Bookwalter Wines Feature Writing Flavors

J. Bookwalter Wines at 894 Tulip Lane is the first of the wineries encountered. Playing on the Bookwalter name, wines bear such literary terms as Preface Merlot, Couplet Chardonnay, Protagonist Red Mountain Blend and Anecdote Riesling. The Bookwalter family has been involved in agriculture for 10 generations, going back to Europe, and has been making wines in the Mid-Columbia since 1983. The current owner is John Bookwalter, son of winery founders Jerry and Jean Bookwalter.

J. Bookwalter Wines was named Washington Winery of the Year in 2005, and has had wines place in the top 100 lists.

The winery’s tasting room opens at 10 a.m. daily. It stays open later on Wednesday through Saturday nights when live music is presented in its bistro. Snacks which complement its wines are available in the bistro.

Barnard Griffin Winery labels boast a colorful bouquet of tulips, and have since they began making wines in 1983. The winery is located at 878 Tulip Lane, between Bookwalter and Tagaris. Barnard Griffin was named the Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest magazine in 2006.

The tasting room is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. A small art gallery features glass art by Deborah Barnard who co-founded the winery with her husband Rob Griffin.

Tagaris Winery Honors Greek Family

Winemaker Michael Taggares founded Tagaris Winery in 1987, using the original Greek spelling of the family name. The family began growing wine grapes in the 15th century, continuing the wine-making tradition at 844 Tulip Lane. Tagaris wines have won numerous awards at various wine festivals.

The tasting room, open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, flows into Tagaris Taverna, a full-service restaurant specializing in Greek food. The Taverna is considered one of the in-places to dine in the Tri-Cities. The Taverna has outside seating, complete with a 33-foot high fountain.

How to Find the Wineries

Take the Queensgate Road exit off of Interstate I-182, which runs from Interstate I-82 in the west, past Richland and on to Pasco where it becomes Highway 12 or connects with Highway 395. From Queensgate turn onto Columbia Park Trail, then left onto Windmill Road, and finally right on Tulip Lane. Watch for the winery signs on Columbia Park Trail.

The copyright of the article 3 Wineries Located on Richland, WA's Tulip Lane in US Wine is owned by Cheryl Probst. Permission to republish 3 Wineries Located on Richland, WA's Tulip Lane in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.