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A Dog-Friendly Wine Weekend on Red Mountain

  • Wendy VanArsdale
  • May 18
  • 6 min read

One of the things I love most about our local wine country is that it doesn’t feel stiff or formal. Many Red Mountain wineries are places where you can kick back outside, enjoy incredible views, and bring your dog along for the adventure.


Over the years I’ve explored these wineries with friends, celebrated milestones, discovered favorite wines, and spent afternoons simply slowing down and enjoying where I live. These aren’t just wineries I found online — these are places I return to again and again.


If your ideal weekend includes vineyard views, great food, Washington wine, and your dog stretched out beside you in the sunshine, then I have the perfect 2-day wine country adventure for you, including a printable itinerary you can download at the end of this post.


But first, let me tell you a little about these wineries and share a few recommendations that can take your visit up a few notches.


Hightower Cellars

Address: 19418 E 583 PR NE, Benton City, WA 99320


Perched at the very top of Sunset Road, Hightower has one of the most spectacular views on Red Mountain. From here, you can look out over rolling vineyards stretching across the landscape, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and stay awhile.


When businesses first started opening again after the COVID shutdowns, this was the first place my girlfriend and I went. We sat outside, soaked in the views, enjoyed a glass of wine, and spent the afternoon dreaming about future travel plans. After spending so much time stuck at home, it felt like freedom.


That memory is probably part of why I still love coming back.


These days I have a routine: I order their bread plate. Bread and wine are a natural pairing and somehow it just feels right sitting on top of Red Mountain with a glass in hand and a view that stretches for miles.


For a dog-friendly wine weekend, this is one of those stops where the scenery becomes part of the experience. Grab an outdoor table, settle in, and enjoy one of the best views in the region.


Avennia Estate Tasting Room

Address: 61804 E Red Mountain Rd, Benton City, WA 99320

Avennia sits right next to Hightower at the top of Red Mountain, which means it shares some of the same incredible vineyard views overlooking the area.


If you're already making the drive up Sunset Road, it's an easy stop to pair with Hightower and gives you another chance to slow down and take in the scenery.


Frichette Winery

Address: 39412 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320

When I first visited Red Mountain more than 10 years ago, Frichette was the very first winery a friend took me to. I fell in love with both the wines and the area that day and joined their wine club before I left. It was actually the first wine club I ever joined, and more than a decade later, I’m still a member.


That probably tells you something.


Frichette has always felt relaxed and welcoming to me. This is not a formal or stuffy experience. Think sitting outside in the grass with your shoes kicked off and your dog stretched out beside you while you enjoy a glass of wine and take in the Red Mountain views. It has that kind of feel.


In the summer, I almost always order the Sashay Rosé. Another favorite is their Carmenère; I usually keep a bottle at home because it’s one of my favorite wines to open alongside grilled carne asada or taco night. It’s become one of those wines I reach for over and over.


For me, Frichette isn’t just a winery stop. It’s part of the reason I fell in love with Red Mountain in the first place.


Kiona Vineyards and Winery

Address: 44612 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320

I've loved Kiona for years. The wines are wonderful, but what has kept me coming back goes beyond what's in the glass. This third-generation wine family are simply good people.


During COVID, when many small businesses were struggling, I remember seeing Kiona regularly use their platform to encourage people to support neighboring wineries. Instead of focusing only on themselves, they were actively telling customers to go visit and buy from friends and neighbors too. That says a lot about who they are.


That kind of generosity sticks with you.


Of course, the wine is also fantastic. One of my favorites is their Lemberger. You don't see it very often and Kiona is one of the few places where you can reliably find it. I love introducing people to it because it's approachable, food-friendly, and pairs with a surprisingly wide range of meals.


And then there's the Old Block.


This is one of my special occasion wines. It's the bottle I opened when I retired from the corporate world, when my granddaughters were born, and most recently for my 30th wedding anniversary. Certain wines become connected to life moments, and for me, this is one of them.


Between the views, the family history, and the people behind the winery, Kiona feels like one of those places that represents what Red Mountain does best.


Elk Haven Winery

Address: 34101 Demoss Rd, Benton City, WA 99320

I've been a fan of Elk Haven since they first opened and it continues to be one of my favorite stops in the area. Set overlooking the Yakima River, the views alone make it worth visiting.


Grab a seat outside and you can often spot eagles nesting in the trees along the river while enjoying a glass of wine with your dog stretched out beside you.


One thing that makes Elk Haven different is that they don't stop at wine. They also produce their own spirits and offer whiskey tastings (usually around $15), which makes this a fun stop if your group includes both wine and whiskey lovers.


Two personal favorites: the Rainfire Wine Barrel Bourbon, finished in their Cabernet barrels, and their Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon, which flips the idea around by finishing the wine in bourbon barrels. If you enjoy seeing crossover between the wine and whiskey worlds, both are worth trying.


Elk Haven recently added a chef onsite and the food is made fresh in-house. I love the bison smash burger and the fries cooked in beef tallow. It turns a tasting stop into a place where you can settle in, relax, and easily spend an afternoon.


And the staff? Some of the friendliest around — one of the reasons I keep coming back.


Palencia Wine Company

Address: 11 Cabernet Ct, Prosser, WA 99350

I first wrote about Palencia while working on my Meet the Chef series and highlighting Frank Magaña - owner and chef of Culture Shock Bistro food truck.


Palencia focuses on Spanish-style wines and recently purchased an estate on Red Mountain, creating an even bigger destination experience for visitors. On weekends, you'll often find Culture Shock serving food designed specifically to pair with the wines being poured.


I love wineries that encourage people to slow down and make an afternoon out of a visit instead of simply tasting and moving on, and Palencia has become one of those places.


Good wine, good food, and a chance to experience a little hospitality all in one stop.


For a dog-friendly wine weekend, this makes an easy place to settle in, grab a seat outside, and stay awhile.


Weekend note: Culture Shock Bistro is generally onsite on weekends, so check schedules before heading out.


Heron Bluff Vineyards

Address: 32001 N Red Mountain Rd, Benton City, WA 99320

Heron Bluff feels like one of those smaller boutique wineries that people are excited to discover and tell friends about later. Located in the outskirts of Benton City, it has a quieter, more relaxed feel that encourages slowing down and enjoying the scenery.


One thing that makes Heron Bluff especially fun to visit is that they grow Dolcetto; an Italian grape variety you don't see very often in Washington. If you love wine and food pairing, this is one to pay attention to. Dolcetto tends to be very food-friendly and approachable, making it a great wine to enjoy with everything from pasta and pizza to grilled dishes.


I always enjoy finding wineries doing something a little different, and Heron Bluff gives you a chance to try a varietal that most people haven't explored yet.


For dog owners, this also feels like an easy stop to linger awhile, enjoy the outdoor setting, and take in Red Mountain at a slower pace.


Printable Itinerary


Before you head out, don’t forget to grab the printable PDF version of this itinerary. I included the winery addresses along with the full 2-day itinerary so you can easily save it to your phone or print it out for your trip.


Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or just a relaxing day exploring Red Mountain with your dog, having everything in one place makes it easy to spend less time planning and more time enjoying great wine, good food, and beautiful views.



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