VineHeart Winery

Often, in the figurative sense of the word, there is a marriage between winemaker and grape grower. However, in the case of VineHeart Winery, the marriage between winemaker George Schneider and grape grower Patricia O’Brien is a literal one. They’re hitched; and you could say it is a marriage made in heaven, given their strong Christian beliefs. George began making wine in 1987. Patricia has been growing grapes in the Yakima Valley since 1991.

Their tasting room, located just a few miles north of Prosser, offers a spacious and inviting space to sample wine and enjoy a picnic indoors or outside, if the weather is nice. By the way, poke around outside and you’ll discover a lawn vast enough to make John Deere break out in a sweat. This grassy expanse is a wonderful spot to host weddings, family reunions, and other get-togethers. If you have such an event in your future, talk to George or Patricia about your plans. There’s plenty of parking space, barbeque grills, grounds, and of course, fine wine for hosting such an event.

Pat and George’s goal is to create the highest-quality wines, with a hint of oak, using few additives. Add affordability to that goal; most of their wines sell for about $15 a bottle. Using estate grapes that have been handpicked and sorted, George crafts a full range of red and white wines, including a rosé named in honor of George’s mother, Philomena Rose Schneider. Total annual production is approximately 800 cases annually. Besides the fine wine, you can also sample George’s delicious smoked chicken, summer sausages, and cheeses that he sells under the Sebastian label. Try the samples of smoked cheese and sausage with the “Philomena Rose.” Is this another marriage made in heaven?

• 

  Order the book!

  VineHeart Winery was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Prosser WineTrail North on page 342!