Gilbert Cellars

This is a very nice tasting room. The host was friendly and knowledgeable and there was just a good vibe. The kind of tasting room I would visit for happy hour and hang out.

The best wine I tasted was the 2010 Allobroges. Don't be shy to ask for the pronunciation. This is a great red and I am kicking myself for not buying a bottle.

The Riesling is also very good. This is probably one of my top 5 favorite Rieslings. And, since it was 95 degrees out the day I went tasting, so  a bottle came home with me and did not last long.

A must stop on your wine tasting tour through Yakima.

Lovely space in Yakima. Gilbert cellars has a modern minimalist decor but still feels warm and inviting. The pourer I met (Lincoln) was friendly and knowledgable, and being the only customer at the time, was very sociable and willing to engage in conversation about the wine, the AVA (American Viticultural Association region), the history of Gilbert Cellars, and more. The interior felt cool while I was there and it took me a while to warm up, so I kept my jacket on most of the time.

$5 for tasting the flight of 5 wines. The pourer said that the combination of pours roughly equals one glass of wine. In the pre-selected flight I tried: Reisling, Allobroges (Medium Rhone inspired blend), Syrah, Left, Bank (Bordeaux inspired blend), and Cabernet Sauvignon. Additionally, for $1 / pour, other wines can be sampled. I tried the Pinot Noir, 2009 Reserve, and Tempranillo Port.

Each of their wines was delicious in its own way. I took home bottles of both the Allobroges and Left Bank blends, though I wanted to walk away with more including the Reserve and Tempranillo Port, and would have been happy to have any of the single varietals as well! The $5 tasting fee was waived since I purchased wine.

From the time they open (around 11am) until 4pm they serve a tapas menu only. I tried and would recommend the bacon-wrapped dates (stuffed with bleu cheese) as well as the baguette with cheese. I think I may have had a chevre from Tieton Farm & Creamery. After 4pm Gilbert Cellars has an expanded food menu.

Wine and how it appeals or does not to a person is highly subjective and can depend on many factors that are not in control of the grape grower, wine maker, or even the pourer. What one person would die for, another will despise. I loved their wines, and if you decide to visit, I hope you will too.

On a recent trip out to visit my husband (he is in school), we decided to head downtown Yakima to check out Gilbert Cellars.  The atmosphere inside is great, feels like you aren't in eastern washington!  The bartender was very fun, relatively knowledgeable, and extremely conversational.  We tasted wines for a very fair fee and I don't think there was a single one we didn't like.  They were all delicious.  Look, I am no expert, but I know what I like and what type of drinkability I like, and I liked their wine.  We left with a couple bottles, and we will for sure be back!