Paying a Visit to Purple Star Winery

Harvest Hosts is a unique RV membership program with a large network of available hosts. So far, 6000 locations have opened their hearts and their homes and/or businesses to members of the Harvest Hosts RVing community. Through this program, members receive overnight accommodations with no camping fees in peaceful and serene places across North America. In return, members are asked to make a purchase to patronize the small business that hosts them. Of these Hosts,Purple Star Winery is particularly special. Here you can learn all about the winery’s history, its operations today, its origins within the Harvest Hosts community, and what future visitors can expect to experience.

The History

In 2008, Amy and Kyle Johnson set out to start a winery with a specific vision: to embody the soul of wine from vineyard to bottle to table. Their philosophy is that wine should be accessible, approachable, and affordable. But most of all, they believe that a wine’s purpose is to bring together family and friends! With these goals and missions in mind, the Johnsons planted a vineyard in Benton City, Washington, and the rest is history.

The Business Today

Today, Purple Star Winery continues to operate in Benton City, Washington, surrounded by apple orchards and a small vineyard. For the Johnsons, the best part of owning and operating their business is working together as a family.With ten years of viticulture and winemaking experience in Washington State, they certainly know a thing or two about making wine. For starters, Purple Star Winery’s varietal blends are grown from some of Washington State’s finest appellations, including Wahluke Slope, Yakima Valley and Red Mountain. With grapes handpicked at their optimal flavor profile and juice fermented at cooler temperatures for longer periods, their wines exhibit softer tannins and retain more varietal character. Currently, they offer several varieties of wine, including a Rosé blend, a red blend, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  In their tasting room, they offer tastings and wines by the glass or by the bottle. In addition, they have a wine club, and they host various events throughout the year.