Across the Kitsap Peninsula, rosé season arrives with the first warm afternoons of spring and stretches lazily through late summer picnics and waterfront sunsets. From Bainbridge Island vineyards to small family wineries tucked into Olalla’s wooded hills, local winemakers are crafting rosés that capture the character of the Pacific Northwest: fresh, vibrant, and perfect for relaxed Pacific Northwest living.
Rosé’s popularity has surged in recent years, and for good reasons. These pink wines range from crisp and bone-dry to slightly fruity or even sparkling, making them flexible companions for everything from seafood to backyard barbecues.
Rosé may have once been considered a seasonal novelty, but today it’s one of the most versatile wines being produced, and Kitsap’s winemakers are proving that world-class pink wine doesn’t have to come from Provence.
Estate Grown Elegance on Bainbridge Island
On Bainbridge Island, rosé often reflects the cool maritime climate of the Puget Sound AVA. At Bainbridge Vineyards, one of Washington’s oldest wineries, the rosé is made entirely from estate-grown grapes cultivated on the island’s historic farmland.
The winery blends Pinot Noir and Regent grapes to create a dry rosé with flavors of raspberry, cranberry, and strawberry, finished in a crisp, French style. Because all of the grapes are grown onsite, the wine carries a sense of place unique to the island’s cool climate and organic farming practices.
Nearby, Eleven Winery is known for producing approachable wines from unique varietals, including a dry rosé that reflects the winery’s philosophy of simple winemaking for expressive flavors.
The La Primavera rosé has flavors of mountain strawberries, fresh herbs, and rhubarb, perfect for sipping in the sunshine after a ferry ride or during a leisurely island wine tour.
Pro tip: Bike to the winery on Day Road, and the tasting fee is waived.
Boutique Rosé with Old-World Roots in Olalla
Among the trees in Olalla, Olalla Vineyard & Winery, a small family-owned winery founded in 2008 with Croatian influence and a passion for handcrafted wines. Winemaker Matthew Loso, formerly of Matthews Cellars, has helped refine the winery’s approach to elegant, balanced wines.
The rosé, made from Pinot Noir grapes, has a bright fruit expression while maintaining structure and acidity, resulting in a wine that pairs beautifully with warm-weather meals. Set among rolling vineyards and open-air tasting areas, Olalla’s rosé is the kind of wine that begs to be enjoyed outdoors, ideally with friends and a long afternoon ahead.
Rosés from the Puget Sound region tend to emphasize freshness and brightness thanks to the cool coastal climate. Expect flavors such as wild strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry, citrus zest, watermelon, rose petals, and subtle minerality.
These wines typically finish crisp and dry, making them ideal food wines. The beauty of rosé is that it bridges the gap between white and red wines, meaning it can handle everything from seafood to grilled meats.
Perfect Pairings
Rosé shines when paired with simple, fresh foods. Try these combinations for a Kitsap-style picnic.
- Dungeness crab salad and dry rosé (Bainbridge Vineyards)
- Goat cheese and strawberries and crisp rosé (Olalla Vineyards & Winery)
- Charcuterie and olives and fuller-bodied rosé (Eagle Harbor Wine Co.)
- Grilled shrimp or salmon skewers and mineral-driven rosé (Rolling Bay Winery)