The Best Wineries in Chelan (And How to Get There in Style)

Chelan, Wash., sits at the southern tip of Lake Chelan, tucked into a mountain valley where glacial soils, lake-influenced climate, and warm mountain breezes converge. Poised within the Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area (AVA), this region produces wines that reflect dramatic terroir.

When planning your visit, you’ll want to pair standout wine experiences with elegant travel — think stretch limousines, SUV fleets, or private chauffeured wine tours that let you focus on tasting, not driving.

Callan Cellars occupies a distinctive place among Chelan producers. Their estate vineyards lie on steep slopes and emphasize hand-harvested fruit that is often sorted carefully in the cellar. The tasting room frequently features small-lot wines, including Rhône-style blends and site-driven varietals. Their aesthetic draws on clean lines and functional design — expect a moderately intimate tasting environment. As a boutique stop, Callan allows guests to taste wines rarely released to broader markets.

Silver Bell Winery sits above Manson on a hilltop, offering sweeping views over the lake and the Cascade range. Its tasting room features both indoor seating and a patio overlooking the vineyards. The wine list includes reds like “Aubaine” and “Moxie,” and more delicate blends. The grounds include lawn space, allowing guests to relax outdoors while sampling. Because of its elevation and visibility, Silver Bell frequently appears among regional winery guides and is often singled out for its vantage and approachable style.

Mellisoni is a focused estate producer that maintains vineyard parcels on sun-exposed slopes. Their tasting experience often includes single-vineyard wines, small-batch bottlings, and seasonal tastings on a shaded patio. Their wines aim to express varietal purity with some barrel aging when appropriate. In the tasting room, you may find staff willing to walk you through vineyard block differences, soil profiles, and how their microclimates influence flavor.

Benson Vineyards maintains vineyard acreage on the north shore of Lake Chelan. The estate’s Tuscan-inspired tasting room overlooks both vines and water. The wine list includes Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, Viognier, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer. On site is Café Myth, offering food that complements tasting flights. The tasting format often includes flights of three or more wines, and the stone patio is an inviting place to pause between tastings.

Fielding Hills Winery cultivates hillside vineyards that emphasize drainage and sun exposure. The winery’s focus leans toward bolder reds and expressive aromatics. The tasting room is built to respect outdoor views, with large windows and terrace seating. Visitors often find that staff mention plantings, harvest timing, and barrel regime in detail. Though not always the largest in scale, Fielding Hills provides a concentrated tasting experience that highlights benchland character in Chelan.

Karma Vineyards operates on the south shore of Lake Chelan, planting on a north-facing slope. The vineyard area totals about 14 acres, with varietals such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Gewürztraminer. The tasting room is rustic yet elegant, with grapevine accents and views of vines marching toward the lake. They have a wine cave for barrel ageing and occasional private tastings below ground. The winery also offers event hosting, including weddings and private dinners, making the site as functional as it is scenic.

Tsillan Cellars offers one of the more architecturally striking tasting experiences in Chelan. Their Tuscan-inspired design includes marble, hand-carved woodwork, mosaics, and large terraces. Their vineyards produce Sangiovese, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Riesling, among others. The tasting room is also a restaurant, with indoor and outdoor dining aligned with vineyard views. Because of its scale and design, Tsillan often hosts elevated food-wine pairing events, and its ambiance places it among signature stops when touring wineries in Chelan.

Lake Chelan Winery is one of the region’s long-established names and offers a broad portfolio of wines. The tasting room has a grassy lawn and often hosts live music or casual events. On select days, they operate a BBQ-in-the-Vineyard program, pairing local meats and sides with wine. Tastings often include their rieslings, red blends, and signature labels. Their location makes them a good anchor stop in any wine route around Chelan.

Exploring Chelan’s wine country doesn’t have to mean getting behind the wheel. The area offers elevated transportation options to make winery visits seamless and sophisticated.

Private SUV wine tours are one of the best ways to experience the region for travelers who want flexibility with comfort. Local companies such as Chelan Craft Cabs and Wine Tours by Design operate fleets of luxury SUVs and crossovers with professional drivers who specialize in navigating the local tasting routes. These tours often include customized itineraries, coordinated reservations, and door-to-door service from hotels or vacation rentals.

Guests staying at upscale resorts such as Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan or The Lookout can also take advantage of private shuttle services between major wineries in Chelan, downtown restaurants, and lakefront accommodations. For visitors arriving by air, Lake Chelan Airport transfers can be arranged through luxury car services or private charter companies like Wenatchee Valley Shuttle and Lake Chelan Aviation, which provide direct connections from nearby airports such as Pangborn Memorial.

Helicopter tours offer the most dramatic perspective of the region. Chelan Helicopters provides private charters that soar above the lake, vineyards, and Cascade foothills, with the option to land at select wineries for tastings. Combining a scenic flight with vineyard stops delivers an unforgettable way to see the valley’s topography and the spread of its vineyards from above.

For those who want to combine scenery and adventure, electric bike rentals and luxury golf cart tours are increasingly popular around the lake. Companies like Chelan Electric Bikes provide guided e-bike tours between nearby vineyards, including stops at tasting rooms and lake overlooks. Similarly, golf cart rentals from Shoreline Watercraft & Boat Rentals allow couples or small groups to travel short winery-to-winery routes with open-air comfort and minimal effort.

Exploring the wineries in Chelan offers a glimpse into the region’s lifestyle, where vineyard views, lakeside tranquility, and refined leisure come together. If you’ve ever imagined living close to this combination of natural beauty and sophistication, now is the perfect time to make it happen.

As a trusted local real estate professional, Justin Skaar specializes in helping clients find exceptional homes and investment properties throughout the Lake Chelan area. With deep knowledge of the region’s neighborhoods, resort communities, and wine-country estates, Justin can connect you with a property that fits your goals and enhances your lifestyle. Whether you’re relocating, seeking a second home, or expanding your real estate portfolio, Justin’s experience and personal approach make every step of the process seamless.

Interested in Chelan real estate? Contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you find your dream Chelan home!