Manson is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Chelan County, Washington, set on the north shore of Lake Chelan about seven miles northwest of the city of Chelan. It lies in a valley floor between the lake and the surrounding hills of north-central Washington, with a population of roughly 1,500. The community was named in 1912 for Manson F. Backus, president of the Lake Chelan Land Company, and its economy has long been tied to the land. Apple orchards became the area's signature industry through the twentieth century, and in recent decades vineyards and wineries have joined them, making the north shore one of Washington's recognized wine destinations. More than 20 wineries and tasting rooms now operate around Manson and the Lake Chelan valley. Daily life blends agriculture, hospitality, and recreation. Manson Bay Park provides a public boat dock, swim area, and picnic facilities just steps from the village's shops and restaurants, while Wapato Point resort anchors the shoreline's vacation economy. The surrounding area holds five lakes — Lake Chelan, Wapato Lake, Roses Lake, Dry Lake, and Antilon Lake — offering boating, fishing, swimming, and shoreline access. Public school students attend the Manson School District, which serves roughly 600 students from preschool through twelfth grade on the north shore. The community is reached by a scenic road along the lake from Chelan or by boat at the public dock, and Chelan provides additional shopping, services, and healthcare a short drive away. The result is a small, lakeside, agricultural community with an outsized reputation as a wine-country destination.