If someone tells you they’ve found a world-class Bordeaux alternative in the Pacific Northwest, you’d be forgiven for assuming they’ve overdone the tasting flight. But here’s the secret the French don’t want you to know: Washington State, the second-largest wine-producing region in the US, is quietly pouring some of the best juice this side of the 46th parallel. Which, incidentally, is the exact same latitude as Burgundy, Rhône and, yes, Bordeaux.

What makes Washington different isn’t just the terroir but the attitude. You’ll find more farm boots than cravats here. And in place of the hushed, white-tableclothed swirl-and-sniff routine, you’ll get something refreshingly unpretentious: incredible wine, made by real people, in places that feel alive.

East of the Cascade Mountains, the landscape opens up to reveal 21 distinctive American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and more than 300 wineries, stretched across a topography as varied as the bottles they produce. Eastern Washington is the heart of it all, with more than a third of the state’s vineyard acreage planted in its sun-drenched soils. It’s where chardonnay meets merlot, riesling rubs shoulders with cabernet sauvignon, and harvest season (mid-August through October) brings with it cellar tastings, vineyard parties and views that make you question your return flight.

Horsedrawn cart at a vineyard

A couple of hours southeast, Walla Walla Valley is deadly serious about wine. This is where some of the state’s oldest and most respected wineries live, with over 130 tasting rooms in and around a town that punches well above its weight. Sip syrah at Revelry Vintners, book a vineyard-to-glass tour at L’Ecole No 41, or settle in for the afternoon at Dusted Valley with a bottle and no plans. Stay at The Finch for laid-back charm, Eritage Resort for vineyard views, or the iconic Marcus Whitman Hotel if you’re after old-school elegance.

Prefer a faster pace? Head to the Tri-Cities – Richland, Pasco and Kennewick – where the Columbia River meets a concentrated cluster of tasting rooms, hiking trails and taprooms. Try the bold reds at Fidelitas Wines, small-batch vintages at Bartholomew Winery, or a guided tasting at Goose Ridge Estate to get under the skin of the region.

And then there’s Yakima. Not just vines, but orchards, hop farms and taco trucks. Spend the morning at the Yakima Valley Museum, then taste your way through Gilbert Cellars, Dichotomy Vineyards, and the sparkling specialists at Treveri. This is wine country without the pretension – and better for it. So if your idea of fun involves a blend of character, craftsmanship and wide-open spaces, Washington’s waiting. Come for the cab. Stay for the stories. 

For more information visit stateofwatourism.com or @stateofwatourism