col solare winery

We specifically chose this winery to take the tour and do some tasting as well. We arrived before the tour and ordered their regular flight as well as the reserve tasting flight. My boyfriend and I shared and tasted all of them, but none really stood out to us. The wines weren't bad, but they weren't excellent. We found many other wines that we liked better at other wineries in the area. The tour was very lacking. The website states they provide a 45 minute tour on Sundays including vineyards and production facilities...the tour was all of 15 minutes and the lady giving the tour could not even answer basic questions about the vineyards. We were very unimpressed.

We were looking forward to stopping at Col Solare due to its partnership with Antinori wines in Florence, Italy. My husband spent a year at Gonzaga-in-Florence and his classes were all in the Palazzo Antinori.The first problem was finding how to enter. There were 3 gates open, none of which looked more imposing than the other, so we took the first one. As we started in, it looked like staff was parked there, so we backed out. We slowed by the second gate, but decided it WAS the service entrance. So we finally went in the third gate (by this time feeling like Goldilocks). There was parking at the base of a massive multi-level set of stone steps. We walked up and then realized the we could have parked in the first gate and walked straight in (obviously this would be nice to know for handicapped or walking impaired patrons).The wine tasting attendants were friendly, but in-and-out. The price was high - $18 for 2 small tastings or $20 a glass. Not our usual price point, but we wouldn't have minded so much if the experience was exceptional.I think COLD Solare would be a better name. While there was a beautiful vast view from the terrace, you couldn't see it seated inside. The decor is all glass and metal, so there was nothing warm about it. There were only a few tables and a couple sofas by the fire (which wasn't on, but it wouldn't have been enough to warm up the atmosphere). .

We belong to a few wine clubs in Red Mountain and Walla Walla and many in Napa. Love wine. Cellar. Entertain. And, simply indulge. We came across Col Solare at an event. Met the winemaker - loved him & loved the wines. Went to the winery in June for the first time & joined the wine club. The property is situated in a simply serene location in Red Mountain. A friend of mine & I enjoyed a tasting outside with a cheese and meat tray. Perfect day. We did pay for our flight and snack - as we would if we went to a restaurant (the experience was the same - took our time, enjoyed the view, the wine, and our conversation). In August, my husband and I attended an event at Col Solare and it was incredible. Chef was from Olives - Walla Walla - and, he served a perfectly-paired dinner. My suggestions - enjoy the experience. Join the club if you can. The staff is very friendly and attentive. And, they pour incredible wines.

The sign at the bottom of the tasting room stairs says "By appointment only". That is not actually correct, the winery is open to the public with regular hours. The winery used to be by appointment only, they just haven't removed the legacy sign yet. The wine is served sit down restaurant style, it's more Napa'ish that way. Why they have tastings in the interior courtyard is beyond me. They should serve it on the front patio where the views are awesome. Nice staff and great service. The wines are also very very good. You should visit here.

We dropped in at 11am and were warmly greeted. The tasting was side by side 08 and 09. Both these wines were wonderful. We were indeed fortunate to taste 3 other wines the were also outstanding. Thanks to the staff for a glorious Easter Sunday morning experience.

On our anniversary trip to the area, Col Solare was highly recommended. But because they have restricted openings (by appointment only), we missed out. Or maybe THEY missed out. :(

There is a tour once a week, Sundays at 1pm, and costs $20. We joined this one-hour tour, which begins with an overview of the grounds, and the layout of the plants. It's followed by a walk down to the fields, and then tour of the machines and underground storage.The grounds is lovely, and so is the building. You get a commanding view of the valley below, and it's great stop just for the scenery. The tour guide was OK, but not the most knowledgeable. You get to taste two wines, one at $75 a bottle, and one at about half of the price. I think the wine is a bit overpriced, but the tour is a good stopover.

Your is by appointment only. We spent 2 hours. Nice tour and friendly staff. Met the wine maker. They served a nice glass of 08 and 09 for us. Not just a splash to taste. Wine tour fee refunded if you buy, ( and we did!).

Col Solare's tasting room is located high on Red Mountain, overlooking numerous vineyards below, including their own. If it's not too hot, sit on the outdoor patio at the high tables to enjoy the most expansive view and observe their unique vineyard layout design. Their tasting room staff is very pleasant and helpful and the wine is a "must taste" for your Washington wine experience. They are tops! Relax with one of their delightful tapas and a glass of one of their beautiful wines at a table in the tasting room or on the covered deck outside if the weather is extremely hot as it was when we were there. They have options.

While the wines are good, the establishment has lost touch with reality... they do not belong in the Yakima Valley which I feel is a warm friendly community. I have never been to a winery as "snobby" as Col Solare. We were charged $16.00 for 2 - two ounce pours of the reds they were offering. When we asked if we could apply the cost of the tasting to our purchase (bottles ranged in price from $40 to $50) the response was, "that is not an option." Not, "I am sorry, but...". We are 50+ professionals that had purchase cases at the two previous wineries we had gone to. We would have bought some here too, but the attitude of the establishment was so off putting and unfriendly. We will never buy a bottle of their wine and will never recommend this winery to anyone. There are so many other good wineries such a short drive away with friendly staff and reasonable prices and policies. Don't waste your time.

This is a winery that I keep going back to. It is classy and has a great view. When it first opened it was by appointment only which usually keeps me away but I went there once by appointment and then they opened up on some schedued open to the public time. This is a winery that is a collaberation of Chateau St Michelle and Antinori of Italy. It is pretty much a high end red blend but now also have a label that is more reasonably priced. I hightly recommend.

Holy Hell. If I could give this 10 stars, I would. We rolled into this place with about 30 minutes to spare before we had to leave to catch our flight in Pasco. We sheepishly explained that we were in a rush and the two women working there rolled out the red carpet for us - speedily delivering our two wine flights and a bevy of delicious foods to us, including a free cheese platter that we didn't even order, just because they were being nice. And the coolest part was, even though they hustled to get this all out to us, nothing felt rushed. They still explained every wine, the intricacies of each vintage, and each cheese with detail and intelligence. We left feeling more relaxed than when we arrived! Somehow, their attention to our time constraints made us feel like we weren't in a rush at all.Oh - and BESIDES all that awesome customer service, THE WINES WERE TO DIE FOR. Every single one. Their goal, as they both independently told us, is to make the single best Cabernet in the state of Washington. And I think they are doing a great job achieving that!Not to mention the absolutely gorgeous, Artesa-like modern building & grounds. We sat outside on the patio and overlooked Red Mountain. It was the day after the "rapture" (May 22, 2011), and I sure felt like I was in heaven!I hope that more people find this gem, which is why I wanted to write here and rate it a 5 star joint. It's tough to find things to do in this area of Washington, so I highly, highly recommend visiting Col Solare. It will be the highlight of your trip!Thank you to the wonderful associates there for taking such awesome care of us - we won't forget it. We can't wait to come back!