Red Mountain AVA, Benton City, Wash. – Updated March 15, 2016 – Visitors to Washington State’s Red Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA) have more to do than sample excellent wines. Horse-powered tourism, specifically wagon and trail rides, provide visitors the experience of being immersed in the vineyards of Red Mountain.
Riders with Red Mountain Trails are provided the equivalent of a “back stage pass” to the AVA, visiting secluded vineyards and scenic knolls only accessible with a guide.
This month, the company announced they will be offering special wine-tasting tours by horseback. “What guests like about it is that you can ride all day and be immersed in this sea of vines, and emerge at a winery to taste from the very vineyards you’ve just ridden through” says Teresa Owen, co-owner of Red Mountain Trails. “It is a very intimate way to experience the area.”
The wine-tasting trail rides last approximately three hours. Guests can expect to visit three wineries during the tour, and are provided with a gourmet picnic lunch to enjoy in the vineyards.
Horseback (or wagon) riders meander through vineyards ranked as some of the best in the world. “Being in the wagon or on horseback is a unique viewpoint. You are just barely above the vineyard canopy, and in every direction you are surrounded by a sea of vines,” says Teresa.
Red Mountain Trails offers a variety of horseback trail rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, wine tasting tours, and catered events in the vineyards such as their sunset dinners. “The wagon rides make the experience more accessible to drop-in visitors who see us and think, ‘wow, I’d love to do that!’ ” says owner Jeff Owen, who also drives the wagon. The company offers rides that cater to guests seeking a unique experience. Riders can choose from a half-hour trail ride, wine-tasting trail rides, wine-tasting tours in the wagon, or a sunset ride with a dutch oven dinner.
Riders need no prior riding experience, and families are welcome. Kids age six or older can ride a horse, and any age rider can ride in the wagon. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.redmountaintrails.com or call 1-888-414-1619.