Wineries, orchards, sweeping vistas--you'll see that and more on Zillah's Fruit Loop tour

Some of the most beautiful views of the Valley can be seen from the gently sloping hills north and east of Zillah.

A few years ago, Zillah Mayor Gary Clark, a local businessman and former president of the chamber of commerce, came up with the idea of a looping tour of the area so that visitors could see the sights, visit some of the local wineries, learn about some of the local landmarks, see the fruit orchards, and enjoy the sweeping, panoramic views of the Valley from the heights.

He coined the term “Fruit Loop” and the tour was developed, with the cooperation of the Zillah Chamber of Commerce, the city, and others.

The views are especially beautiful during the spring blossoming season, but are gorgeous any time of the year, because at the higher elevations, you can see the lush, green Valley in almost its entirety.

Shortly after the turn of the century, when both railroads and irrigation systems were first being established in the Yakima Valley, the town of Zillah was born.

Developer Walter Granger became entranced by the beauty of the 17-year-old daughter of T. F. Oakes, the president of Northern Pacific Railroad. He asked if he could name the new township after young Zillah. Oakes gave his permission and the town got its name.

Over the years, the area in and around Zillah developed and grew. Agriculture became the mainstay, and beautiful farms, orchards, and vineyards have been created by the people who settled here. The winery business followed naturally.

You can also download our produce calendar, and Winery Tour list. Or, you can visit the Wine Country page.

(1) Begin your self-guided Fruit Loop Tour in Vintage Valley and Zillah West, Zillah’s newest developments of businesses and services. Refer to the accompanying map.

CLAAR CELLARS (Vintage Valley): Located in Vintage Valley. Sample wines, browse through the unique gift selections and learn about the history of the area.  Phone (509) 829-6990.

(2) As you leave Vintage Valley driving east on 1st Avenue into Zillah, you will find the Zillah City Hall on the corner of 1st Avenue and 5th Street (503 1st Avenue) with a billboard map and tourist brochures.

There are some interesting historic buildings in town. An espresso business is now housed in a unique building that once served as the office for Scott’s Fuel Yard, where—in the old days—they sold coal and other fuels for Zillah’s residents.

Turn left. And notice the church at the left on the first corner.

ZILLAH COMMUNITY CHURCH, (202 5th Street): While not officially on the Fruit Loop tour, this stately historic church, erected in 1910, is worth a look. Its original structure was built earlier and moved to this location when the railroad came to Zillah. The building architecture has been the subject of many photographers and painters. Ask the pastor to show you the magnificent stained glass windows from inside the beautiful sanctuary. (509) 829-6062.

(3) Driving out of town on 5th Street, it becomes Roza Drive at the edge of town. As you leave town, you begin to see what has made the Valley grow: orchards. As you continue on, there is a stop sign at the Yakima Valley Highway.

(4) One mile after turning left onto the highway, you see Concord grapes on the right. Many of these grapes are processed by Welch for grape juice.

(5) Turn right at the blue “Wineries” sign onto Barbee Road and then left on Bella Terra. You’ll pass one of the fruit processing warehouse operations serving the mom ‘n’ pop farms. Fruit trees line the road. At the stop sign, turn right on Highland Drive.

(6) Highland Drive crosses and follows the meandering Sunnyside Canal which supplies water to many of the Valley farms. This water comes from the Cascade mountains through man-made Rimrock Lake.

(7) Turn right onto Bonair Road leading to Bonair Winery. Rows of wine grapes owned by Bonair Vineyards can be seen to the right of the road. On the left you will first see an organic nectarine orchard, followed by a Golden Delicious orchard and then a Bing cherry orchard.

BONAIR WINERY (500 South Bonair Road): The Puryear family operates the “little hobby that got out of hand” at the south end of Bonair Road. After ten years of amateur winemaking in California, they returned to their native Valley, built a chateau, planted the vineyards, and began commercial wine production in 1985. Wine tasting, gazebo and picnic grounds.  . Large tours welcome with advance notice. (509) 829-6027.

(7-A) Travel north on Bonair Road. A half mile on your left you’ll see a big expanse of lawn and the metal building that is Wineglass Cellars tasting room and winery.

WINEGLASS CELLARS. (260) North Bonair Road): Owners Linda and David Lowe have a small winery on the loop, which they started in 1994. Wine tasting and tours. Large tours welcome with advance notice (509) 829-3011.

(8) Travel on to Gilbert Road turning right at the stop sign. As you turn right onto the Hyatt Winery road, you’ll see the distinctive windmill of Hyatt Winery. The vineyard on your right uses the bilateral cordon winegrapes trellissing method.

HYATT VINEYARDS (2020 Gilbert Road): The 101-acre vineyard on Gilbert Road above the town of Zillah was planted in 1983. This event started the Hyatts down the wine road.  Great view of the mountains and the Valley below. Tasting room hours are 11-5 daily, closed January. Bring a picnic lunch and spend some time sipping wine beneath the unique 50 foot windmill on the picturesque grounds. (509) 829-6333.

(9) Leaving Hyatt’s, notice the tall stands with propellers. These strange machines designed for spring frost protection circulate warmer upper air with the lower cooler air and prevent freezing of fruit. Most are diesel powered and sound like unmuffled helicopters that refuse to take off!

(10) Continue east on Gilbert Road to Roza Drive turning right and travel towards Highland Drive. As you approach Highland Drive and then turn left, you begin to see the orchards on the left.

ORCHARDS (3001 Highland Drive) This farm grows a variety of apples and cherries in its attractive park-like setting. Signs along Highland Drive and left on Hawkins Roads will help to identify the trees you are seeing.

(11) Turning left on Vintage Road, you will be headed north towards the Rattlesnake Ridge which the army used in WWII for practice bombing runs. Rattlesnake Hills is now the name of the state’s newest American Viticultural Area (AVA) and the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail.

A short distance down Vintage Road you will see a new style of apple orchard. These apples, trellissed much like grapes, are intended to produce higher yields per acre. At the end of Vintage Road, you will find Silver Lake Winery.

SILVER LAKE WINERY (1500 Vintage Road): At the end of Vintage Road is a romantic destination. Bring your picnic and relax on the Vinifveranda and lawns overlooking Whiskey Canyon Vineyard and the Valley. Private events facilities are available. There is parking for RVs and buses.

(12) Making a left turn onto Highland Drive headed east, you’ll notice a large dairy on the right. The Valley’s dairy industry is increasing rapidly, with over 40 million pounds of milk being produced each year. As you approach the end of Highland Drive crossing over the Roza Canal, you will turn left (dirt road between two orchards) to the Portteus Winery.

PORTTEUS VINEYARDS AND WINERY (5201 Highland Drive): This family run vineyard was planted in 1982 after a long search for the best possible site. At an elevation of 1400 feet, this 47 acres of wine grapes is one of the highest vineyards in the state and produces intense, well balanced wines, along with unsurpassed views of the Valley and surrounding mountains. (509) 829-6970.

(13) After leaving Portteus Vineyards, you will travel on Houghton Road which makes several 90° turns. You will notice the Roza Canal again on your right making its way through the orchards. As you turn right on Beam Road, you will see an alfalfa field on the left. Much of the alfalfa is used for cattle feed. It is harvested three times per growing season.

(14) Now turn right on East Zillah Drive. The open fields on the right belong to Jones Farms. Many crops are grown in the Zillah area, including tomatoes, corn, peppers, melons, and other row crops.

As you approach Horizon’s Edge Winery, you may smell spearmint growing on East Zillah Drive. The Yakima Valley produces a major portion of the spearmint grown in the United States.

HORIZON’S EDGE WINERY (4530 East Zillah Drive): The panoramic view of the Yakima Valley, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier, seen from this winery’s tasting room, gave it its name. Enjoy a stroll through the vineyards or picnic on the grounds. (509) 829-6401.

(15) Leaving Horizon’s Edge turn left onto East Zillah Drive and left on Thacker Road. On the right is Jones Farms.

JONES FARMS. Jones Farms is a diversified farm with a fruit stand and produce business located one block south of East Zillah Drive on Thacker Road. Open daily from May through October when most of their fruits and vegetables are harvested fresh daily. Plus, a straw maze and pyramid for climbing during pumpkin season. (509) 829-6024.

Leaving Jones Farms, turn right on Thacker to Gurley. Go left to Eaton Hill Winery.

(16) EATON HILL WINERY (530 Gurley Road): Just a couple of hundred yards east on Gurley Road see the restoration of the unique and historic Rhinehold Cannery building where premium grapes from the Yakima Valley are turned into fine wines. (509) 854-2508.

(17) As you leave Eaton Hill Winery, turn left onto Gurley Road which will connect you with the Yakima Valley Highway. On your tour, you may see tall poles in a field. Hops are grown up the stringers on these poles. A high percentage of the world’s supply and the U. S. supply of hops for the flavoring of beers is grown in the Yakima Valley.

(18) Traveling now along the Yakima Valley Highway back towards Zillah, you will see the Teapot Dome Service Station on the right. Teapot is listed on the National Historic Sites Registry.

(19) Turning left from Yakima Valley Highway onto 1st Avenue, you are now headed back into Zillah.

(20) The city of Zillah offers many services, from groceries to restaurants, service stations and auto parts to hardware and sewing goods. Park downtown and visit the shops of this unique town in the heart of wine country.

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