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POSTED: Tuesday, Jun. 09, 2009

Visit Bonair Winery in Rattlesnake Hills area

Established in 2006, the Rattlesnake Hills Appellation encompasses over 1,500 vineyard acres from Yakima to Sunnyside on the north side of Interstate 82.

I spent some time last month meeting with area winemakers and doing some power tasting at many of the appellation's 15 member wineries.

To get a better understanding of the appellation, its geography, and what makes it unique, I toured the area with Bonair Winery owner Gail Puryear.

Puryear knows virtually every acre of the picturesque agricultural region. In fact, he was instrumental in determining the boundaries and promoting it as a recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA).

Puryear and his wife, Shirley, have dedicated over 25 years to making their own wines, and together they operate a beautiful winery and tasting room a few minutes northwest of Zillah.

There's almost certainly a wine to meet your budget or taste preference at Bonair. Four current releases - a 2006 Chardonnay, 2007 Dry Gewurztraminer, 2007 Merlot and 2007 Cabernet - are incredibly well-priced in the $10- to $13-a-bottle range. The Gewurztraminer is particularly notable, with fresh grapefruit aromas and flavors that fade into a clean, dry finish.

Take a step up in price to the 2006 Reserve Chardonnay (about $20), and you've got an exceptional, near-flawless wine. Made from 100 percent Rattlesnake Hills grapes, the European-style white has nuances of rich, baked apple and pear flavors, and a soft, buttery finish.

Rattlesnake Hills is only about a four-hour drive from Bellingham, and there are plenty of accommodations in the area to make it a highly recommended destination. For more information on the region and its wineries, go to rattlesnakehills.com.

To organize tasting tours, contact the AVA's executive director, Shannon Bird, at (888) 375-RHWT.

Next week: More wines and wineries from the Rattlesnake Hills area.

Dan Radil is a wine enthusiast who lives in Bellingham. Reach him at www.danthewineguy.com.