Lake Chelan is a lot of things. The small central Washington town is a fertile green dot on the high desert map, full of friendly faces and stunning views. It’s where outdoors lovers rejoice, taking advantage of the pristine and narrow lake that carves through the Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest. Lake Chelan is also a certifiable libation destination — a place where ciders, wines and beers come to life, taking advantage of the incredible local conditions that spawn incredible local ingredients. That’s a recipe for a Grade-A beverage scene.
Wine fans have every reason to visit. The area is home to the Lake Chelan AVA, where a lake-effect climate and distinctive soils give rise to some of the best wines in the state. At Vin du Lac, postcard views of the lake accompany bright whites like Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc and lasting reds like Malbec. There’s even a bistro on hand if you feel like pairing those wines with some great grub. Over at Lake Chelan Winery, there are complimentary winery tours and fantastic pours of varietals like Riesling and Merlot. Take something with you from the 3,000-square-foot market, full of ideal specialty items. Meanwhile, Hard Row to Hoe is a family-owned and organic establishment pouring from an idyllic tasting room overlooking estate vineyards.
Some newer wineries are turning heads as well, building up buzz and winning awards. On the north shore of the lake, Cairdeas pours Rhône-inspired wines out of their towering barn-turned-tasting room. Look out for expertly crafted blends and unusual releases like Picardan, a fragrant varietal popular in Chateauneuf du Pape. Succession offers a memorable outdoor experience, fit with wines like Cab Franc, Malbec, Syrah and Viognier. Reserve a patio spot and sink into the appellation. Meanwhile, Amos Rome goes all-in on the area, making 100% estate wines within the AVA. The sleek tasting room is surrounded by vines and where wines like Chenin Blanc, dry Riesling and Tempranillo are offered, all made in a decidedly elegant and refined style.
Cider enthusiasts will find riches in Chelan too. The budding industry is especially at home here, honoring the region’s generations-long pedigree as a prime apple-growing area. Labels like Rootwood Cider Company embody the evolution, a cidery that’s gone from apples for eating to heirloom apples for cidermaking over the lengthy arc of its agricultural history. The label, run by the fifth generation of the Koenig farming family, offers orchard tours and intimate outdoor cider tastings huddled around cozy table fires. Try a ghost pepper-infused cider, a hop-infused cider, or a single heirloom option and see just how vast the cider spectrum can be. Over at recently opened Endless Orchard, you’ll find refreshing hard cider takes on classic apple types, from fruit-forward Fuji to tart Granny Smith.
Not a town to leave anybody out, Chelan caters to the craft beer nut as well. Stormy Mountain Brewing combines deftly made beer with barbeque in a warm public house setting. Lake Chelan Brewery operates out of a small, seven-barrel system, treating visitors to releases like Devil’s Trail IPA, Mackinaw Red Amber and Prizefighter Imperial Irish Stout. Over at Even Keel Roadhouse, patrons take in ample indoor and outdoor seating, live music on weekends and sip on rotating taps that emphasize the robust Washington brewing circuit.
And while it’s tough to top the warm and lazy days of summer or the intoxicating frenzy of harvest time, there’s never a bad time to pop into this prime libation destination. Come October, as the fruit ferments in cellars all over the valley, Brews on the Bridge gathers imbibers on the Old Bridge for local beer, bites and music. By winter, locals and visitors alike look forward to the Winterfest Winewalk, where winemakers and wine tasters share stories to the tune of healthy pours from more than a dozen producers, before a backdrop of the town’s many charming boutiques.
Lake Chelan is overflowing with craft liquids that combine to help paint a radiant picture of this special growing region. What’s in the glass is a reflection of the region’s deep connection with its fertile surroundings and lengthy history of crop tending. And it all happens before a shimmering lake and foothills fit for a picture frame. Whether it’s a refreshing summer stay or a peaceful winter getaway you’re after, Chelan is standing by, glass in hand.
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In partnership with Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce
