Agate Field Vineyard

This is a winery rich in tradition yet young in winemaking years. Founder Ben Rashford has been growing grapes on his 10-acre Zillah-based vineyard for more than 60 years. Yet it wasn’t until his wife, Ruth, suggested that they use some of the grapes to produce their own wine that Ben got the notion of Agate Field Vineyard wine. Fortunately, they kept it in their family by turning to their daughter, Ginger, whose husband, Bob Radke, became their winemaker. Interestingly, Bob is a law enforcement officer for the Department of Agriculture by day, so WineTrail enthusiasts are advised to keep the syrah plantings in the ground and not take them with you.

Bob, Ginger, Ruth, and Ben often work the tasting room together serving up elegant blends of estate cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot as well as syrah. But with production at just 500 cases annually, don’t be surprised if they are sold out of a vintage or two. The tasting room itself has a cowboy-movie rustic feel with a second-story deck overlooking the vineyards of Whiskey Canyon. Bring a picnic, uncork a bottle of Agate Fields red, and enjoy the view. Inside, the spacious tasting room provides a comfortable environment thanks in large part to the use of structurally insulated panels, which provide warmth during the winter; coolness in summer. It’s a relaxing space reflecting the friendly demeanor of Agate Field Vineyard’s familial staff.

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  Agate Field Vineyard was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Rattlesnake Hills WineTrail North on page 296!