Chasing the Snakes out of Rattlesnake Hills

It will be a green weekend in the Rattlesnake Hills on March 15th and 16th, with several wineries celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a ritual “chasing out of the snakes”, green wine, and other St. Paddy’s day treats. 

The Rattlesnake Hills, which form the northern border of the Central Yakima Valley (generally from Union Gap to Sunnyside Gap), became Washington State's newest American Viticultural Area, or appellation, in 2006. Arguably the prettiest wine region in the state, the Rattlesnake Hills are home to more than 15 wineries and over 1200 acres of grapes under cultivation.  This area is particularly suited to growing grapes because of the way the hills shield the area from the harshest winter cold snaps and adverse weather.

Touring in the Rattlesnake Hills is a pleasure!  You might get lost on the windy country roads, but you’ll enjoy amazing scenery, and chances are you’ll discover a winery you weren’t expecting to find.  May as well stop in!  Little blue signs point you toward various wineries at nearly every intersection.

Almost all the wineries in the area are members of the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail.  It’s not required for tasting, but if you’d like, you can purchase a “passport” for the Wine Trail at the Yakima Visitor’s Center, or at any member winery.  Get your passport stamped at each winery you visit, and receive discounts off wine purchases.  When your passport is full, you receive a special gift.

The Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail and participating wineries sponsor several wine related events every year, including “Red White and Blues” in June, and “Chasing out the Snakes”, in March.   St. Patrick is known for chasing the snakes out of Ireland, and so in the spirit of shared Irish heritage (and because it's a great excuse to have a fun event) the snakes are ritually chased out of the Rattlesnake Hills every year.  (In reality, there aren’t any Rattlesnakes in the Rattlesnake Hills – at least not in the areas where wineries and tourists abound.  Rattlesnakes prefer to hang out in the higher, rockier regions.)

For more information about this event, future Rattlesnake Hills wine events, and the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail, visit www.rattlesnakehills.com.