SIP AND SAVOR YOUR WAY THROUGH Yakima Valley Wine Country to celebrate spring. Enjoy unique wine tasting experiences, vibrant cultural festivals and views of the Valley in bloom – all under sunny skies. As we count down to warmer days ahead, there’s no better time to plan a road trip.

Spring Celebrations

Spring kicks off in the Yakima Valley with signature events and festivals just made to celebrate the season.

Just before spring, Red Wine & Chocolate Weekend is filled with perfect pairings. Soon the vines will wake from dormancy and attention turns to growing the premium wine grapes the Valley is renowned for. Before then, every Presidents Day weekend, wineries welcome guests to experience red wines and flights paired with delectable chocolates. Plan your trip February 17 to 20 to taste your way through Yakima Valley wine regions and enjoy special activities and seasonal savings.

Then, join Yakima Valley wineries as they open their doors to celebrate spring with Spring Barrel Wine Tasting. Wineries spend the quiet winter months perfecting their wines and getting ready to start pouring the first new releases of the year. Every April, Spring Barrel Tasting delivers a unique wine tasting experience for wine lovers, experts and newcomers alike. Many makers pull tastes straight from the barrel, giving you a sneak peek at how these young vintages may mature. You be the judge of the wines. Will it be an award winner? Other wineries create unique tasting, pairing and educational experiences in the vineyards and behind the scenes with the winemaker. You’ll also find entertainment, locals’ favorite food vendors and special savings at wineries around the Valley.

Yakima Taco Fest, Saturday, May 6, is Yakima's newest favorite food festival celebrating the Valley's vibrant Latino culture and agricultural heritage. What’s better than tacos and craft beverages?  The event brings people together to taste fusion and traditional tacos, sip local craft beverages and dance to the sweet rhythm of Latin music. Enjoy the flavors from locals’ favorite taco vendors and craft beverage makers, offering craft beer, wine and cider. This event is picnic style. Bring your blankets or folding chairs.

Sunnyside Cinco de Mayo Festival, May 5 to 7, celebrates the Valley's rich Latino heritage with the largest cultural festival around. Savor authentic Mexican flavors, listen to the sounds of traditional Latin rhythms with live music all weekend and enjoy dance performances, dancing horses, a carnival, an eating contest, parade and more.

Rattlesnake Hills Wine Run, May 20, could be one of the best races around, especially for wine lovers. Run a 5k, 10k, 15k or half marathon through the beautiful rolling hills and vineyards of Rattlesnake Hills Wine Country. Enjoy sipping stops along the way. Celebrate your finish at the after party complete with more Yakima Valley wine, food, vendors and even post-race massages.

Springtime Valley Views

After a day of sipping and celebrating, take a drive to see the vineyards come to life, orchards all around burst into bloom and the surrounding hills blanketed in wildflowers. Kick back on beautiful winery grounds to enjoy the expansive valley and mountain views. Explore the unique, rugged shrub-steppe landscapes on trails surrounded by fields of blooms.