Tour Journal: Prosser, WA

This year, I’m going to spend some getaway time in Prosser, the birthplace of the Washington wine industry! Surrounded by the Horse Heaven Hills and nestled among thriving vineyards and orchards, the town sounds idyllic

Published: 7/01/2015

This year, I’m going to spend some getaway time in Prosser, the birthplace of the Washington wine industry! Surrounded by the Horse Heaven Hills and nestled among thriving vineyards and orchards, the town sounds idyllic. The historic downtown has tree-lined cobbled streets and plenty of antique shops, galleries, tasting rooms, and restaurants. There are so many things to do! I can spend time at a museum, the Prosser Aquatic Center, the tournament skateboard park, and an alpaca farm. The Princess Theatre is alive with music, theatrical performances, film, and dance. But when do I go? Summer is a busy time in Prosser, and some event highlights include Scottish Fest & Highland Games, the 12th Annual Prosser Art Walk & Wine Gala, Prosser Airport Days & Fly-In, and the annual Prosser Wine and Food Festival—a celebration of Washington wines and culinary arts. And, of course, fall is harvest season! Prosser is among the nation’s richest agricultural regions with abundant fruit, vineyards, and orchards. Area hop growers supply nearly 80 percent of the nation’s hops and more than 20 percent of the entire world’s hops— crucial to brewing beer! I’ll definitely want to check out the Prosser’s Farmers’ Market, open each Saturday through October. Each year on the last weekend in September, hot air balloons fill the skies over town and historic Sixth Street is alive with the Harvest Festival. Now in its second year, the Prosser Beer & Whiskey Festival brings eager ale and whiskey enthusiasts to sample beers and spirits from across the Northwest. Plus, there’s Unwined with live music, local wine and food, sponsored by The Prosser Wine Network. Founded in 2014, this organization focuses on promoting Prosser wine within the community and beyond. Their website, prosserwinenetwork.com, has details on Kick Back & Unwined and more. With so much to do, I’ll just have to visit again and again! –W. van Diver


As seen in the issue Pacific Northwest Summer/Fall 2015 of Touring & Tasting Magazine.