Top 6 Tips for Wine Touring on the North Shore

Tip 1. Get off the Main Road

Part of the beauty of North Shore wine touring is the scenery of the mountains, orchards, vineyards, horse pastures and hillsides. Turn at the 12 Tribes Casino sign and explore the country roads of the Manson Hills. You are in farming country so watch out for slow moving tractors!

Take it slow and get lost on the back roads, It is not a big town and easy to find your way back, just head downhill towards the Lake.

Most vineyards you visit on the backroads of Manson are surrounded by vineyards. Enjoy your time here, don’t have a strict plan so you can explore, relax, and unwind. Talk to the owners, winemakers, take a tour of the vineyards, Manson is where you will get that elusive “sense of place” that is so cherished by wine enthusiasts.

Tip 2. Pack a Picnic

Wineries make for a terrific picnic setting, nothing beats it. One great spot is, of course, Hard Row to Hoe where our lawn area invites you to linger outside, toes in the grass, wind in your hair and a cold glass of wine to accompany lunch.

Pick up picnic provisions at Chelan Fresh Market or Red Apple Market (in Manson). Green Dot Sub shop makes delicious subs to go (we like the Freakin Stehekin, ask them to cut in quarters) for pairing with wine.

Not all wineries allow outside food, so please double-check.

Tip 3. Bring your Camera.

The North Shore is famous for its beautiful vistas and wineries that grow grapes which are right onsite. With vineyard access so readily available, photos of the grape vines really capture the sense of being in wine country, where wineries in other districts to a lesser degree.  You can also capture gorgeous views of the mountains and orchards as well. And don’t forget your to take your picture in the storied row boat at Hard Row!

Tip 4. Get a Wine Touring Map

Check the driving guide map put out by the Lake Chelan Wine Valley (you can pick one up at Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards or the Chamber of Commerce).  It is fun to explore the wines and personalities of all tasting rooms and to find the one you like the best. You will find good wine no matter where you go!  All the North Shore wineries are listed in the driving guide. Maybe stop at one you have not visited before.

Tip 5.  Check the Wine Label for “Lake Chelan” AVA designation

Drink local grapes! Seek out wines made with grapes grown here right in the Lake Chelan Valley. These wines are protected by the Lake Chelan AVA (American Viticultural Area), a federal designation which assures that the wine consumer is getting truly local wines, made with local grapes.  Look for the words “Lake Chelan” on the label, that is your assurance that the grapes were grown here.

Tip 6. Check Opening Hours

Not all wineries are open daily, and many are closed mid-week. Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards is open daily year-round so you can visit any afternoon, but we are the exception to the rule. Call ahead first (good reason to get a driving guide ahead of time). If you plan to stop at Hard Row to Hoe first, we can give you a map and information on which North Shore wineries are open that day.