March Is Taste Washington Wine Month
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We are an On-Line Magazine whose sole purpose is to help the world discover why Washington Wine is among the world’s best, achieving high scores on a regular basis in wine competitions throughout the U.S.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the following articles that make up the “Magazine” portion of our website. New articles will be published here on a regular basis, so make sure to revisit this page often.
It’s not just fermented grapes, but also memories mixed in with the sheer passage of time that makes Siren Song’s story so compelling.
The Lawrence’s business has grown dramatically in the past 20 years. They started out making 350 cases of wine in 2003 and this year (2023) the number of cases is expected to hit 12,000. They now have tasting rooms in Walla Walla, Woodinville, Ellensburg, and a future one in Chelan, plus a restaurant currently open in Royal City.
The Wine Science Center’s total cost was around $23 million and features a teaching winery, labs, classrooms, a two-acre research vineyard, greenhouses, an open atrium gathering area and a wine library curated by the Washington Wine Commission.
Winery now has tasting rooms in Walla Walla, Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue, and a tasting room for Browne Family Spirits scheduled to open in Spokane in December.
Under the leadership of Mike Januik, the Woodinville Winery now produces close to 50,000 cases of wine per year.
In addition to tasting rooms in Chelan and Woodinville, the Dufenhorsts have a third one in the works in Leavenworth (scheduled to open in October) and a wedding venue in Orondo complete with an airstrip for people who want to fly in.
Owners of Tinte Cellars are all in when it comes to giving back to the community. To date, the Gambles have supported 75 non-profit organizations throughout the State of Washington.
Owner of Wilridge Vineyard, Winery & Distillery has worked for more than three decades defending the rights of Washington winemakers while establishing his own brand of organic and biodynamic winemaking.
There’s one thing most canned wine producers seem to agree on: The best seller in many of their portfolios is almost always rosé.
Defining characteristics of new AVA include geology, soils, topography, and climate.
With an artist’s quiet spirit and a scientist’s restless mind, Mike Thiede makes his wine in a faraway corner of central Washington state.
The area is a natural wonderland that operates at a slower pace, supports a diverse population base, and, most importantly for wine enthusiasts, offers something for just about everyone.
The academy has grown into a full series of programs, from wine sales and marketing to production and classes in winery tourism…and even compliance and cellarmaster work.
Owner Dr. Robert Jankelson defied the experts who said only white varietals would grow well in the Valley. The winery now produces 15 single varieties of award-winning wine and 7 blends.
A diversity of winemakers, crafting a variety of unique and delicious wines, has brought the tastes of the state’s extraordinary vineyards to Seattle for anyone to try
Washington State University Tri-Cities has announced that it has signed an agreement to partner with the Port of Benton to offer wine and culinary education at the newly reopened Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser, WA.
On “the Rock”, a wine lover can get a taste of what the whole state has to offer and do it in a relatively small geographical area and in one of the most unique settings Washington has to offer.
Jeff Andrews and Ray McKee are betting the ranch that their new Trothe wine can put Horse Heaven Hills on the map.
A “for fun” experiment in Snoqualmie, WA., has grown into a major enterprise with tasting rooms on both sides of the Cascade Mountains.
Chateau Ste. Michell’s 2012 Eroica Single Berry Select Riesling, in Partnership with Germany’s Dr. Loosen, earns perfect 100-point score from Wine & Spirits Magazine — highest rating ever for a Washington white wine.
Vineyards in new AVA are dominantly planted on north and northeast slopes, leading to less solar radiation and later ripening compared to vineyards on south or southwest slopes.
White Bluffs and The Burn of Columbia Valley bring total number of Washington AVAs to 18
Since 1999, Kristina and her husband Jim van Loben Sels have taken the family winery to new heights.
The impact of the AVA isn’t limited to just vineyards and wineries located on Red Mountain. It extends statewide via wineries all over the state that utilize the area’s grapes in many of the wines they produce.
When Mike Andrews signed a contract with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates to grow 20 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1994, that was ground zero for Coyote Canyon Vineyard.
Inspired by French aromas, a touch of her Gaelic and Irish background, and fueled by the work ethic worthy of the Minnesota farm girl she once was, Lacey Lybecker has found her place.
Owners Brock and Erica Lindsay knew they might have something special
when they sold their first vintage out of the back of their pick-up truck.
Candy Mountain, located just outside the Southwest Washington Cities of Richland and West Richland, became Washington State’s 16th official AVA on Sept. 25.
Washington now has 15 AVAs defined by variation in elevation, slopes and aspect
Today, Butch and his brother Jerry are among Washington’s most prolific wine grape growers
Jones of Washington Winery now produces award-winning wines from grapes grown in the Wahluke Slope and Ancient Lakes AVAs.
Winemaker Doug Brazil’s dedication is reflected in his meticulous craftsmanship of each vintage, focusing primarily on popular red single varietals, red blends, and a handful of white varietals.
She’s the owner, winemaker, tasting room manager, the janitor and the bookkeeper at Errant Cellars, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Owner-winemaker Al Mathews says he makes the type of wine he likes to drink. Much farther down the list is the idea of making wine for popularity’s sake. <Read more>
Owner/winemaker Scott Greenberg’s style is making higher acidity, lower pH wines that pair well with food and age well. <Read more>
The world of pairing wine and cheese is vast and ever changing. There are no set rules — only guidelines to lend a hand. <Read more>
Kiona Vineyards and Chateau Ste. Michelle were among first Washington wineries to make high-quality late harvest wine <Read more>
The husband and wife team of Tyler and Nicky Krost have created a food and wine program at the iconic lodge near Winthrop, WA, that is second to none <Read more>
Griffin and his wife Deborah Barnard have created a well-loved brand that is now into its second generation and a fourth decade. <Read more>
This little town in the heart of Washington wine country is the perfect destination for experiencing amazing sunsets, good wine, delectable cuisine and friendly, down-to-earth people. <Read more>
From Blind Tastings to Wine and Cheese pairings, The Clore Center plays a unique role as Washington’s wine center, celebrating the quality and diversity of Washington wine. <Read more>
Winemaker Richard Batchelor produces many small-batch, single varietals that are available only at Maryhill’s Goldendale, Spokane and Vancouver tasting rooms. <Read more>
The City of Woodinville, located just 20 minutes northeast of Seattle and an easy, 90-minutes-or-less drive from the North Puget Sound region, has become a mecca for Washington wineries. <Read more>
Marty and Megan Clubb are taking good care of Walla Walla’s third oldest winery started by Baker and Jean Ferguson in 1983. <Read more>
Students immerse themselves in every aspect of the grape growing and wine making process at Yakima Valley College in Grandview, WA. <Read more>
Innovation and unconventionality are commonplace at GLM Wine Company, a boutique winery tucked away in the far northwest corner of Whatcom County in Blaine, Washington, just off the second-to-last I-5 exit before the Canadian border. <Read more >
The combination of a winemaker who pushes the envelope and a wine educator who takes the mystery out of the wine making/wine tasting experience, makes this winery a one-of-a-kind destination. <Read more >
Hot, dry climate in a handful of Eastern Washington AVAs makes for perfect growing conditions for this emerging varietal.<Read more >
Winemaker Kate Michaud lands her “dream job” at this state-of-the-art winery in West Richland, WA., after many stops along the way.<Read more >
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to break out the bubbles. There is much to celebrate, after all. Family and friends around the Thanksgiving table, twinkling lights and Christmas cheer and a round of “Auld Lang Syne” as the New Year’s ball drops and another year is put to rest.<Read more >
Owners Rob and Donna Mellison have taken the average tasting room experience of this Lake Chelan winery to a new level. <Read more >
Owner Phil Warren has gone from making small batches of wine in his garage in 2008 to making 1,800 cases annually at his Benton City production facility that he operates with wife Danette and son Ethen. <Read more >
Imagine taking a date to the park for a romantic picnic on a beautiful fall day. You’ve got the blanket that you’re going to spread on the grass and a picnic basket that contains a variety of cheeses, a couple of bunches of grapes, a bottle of wine, a fancy wine bottle opener and two wine glasses. <Read more >
When Windy Hills Winery opened in Ridgefield, WA. over Memorial Weekend 2017, it was owner Dave Kelly’s intention to make a statement. After pulling into the 56-car parking lot, visitors are greeted by stunning rock work at the prominent entrance that carries through a substantial portico into a 2,400 square-foot great room. <Read more >
Pepper Bridge Winery, one of the Walla Walla Valley’s premiere wineries, turned 20 this year. Yet, with so much of the valley’s winemaking history woven in and around the Pepper Bridge name, it seems surprising that the winery hasn’t been around much longer. The winery is owned and operated by three families – the McKibbens, the Goffs and the Pellets. <Read more >
Is there a place at the table for Washington fruit wines made from anything other than traditional wine grape varietals? Of course there is. And while wine purists may be reluctant to consider the virtues of something in their wine glass made from blackberries, raspberries or currants, one whiff and sip of a locally-produced fruit wine may make them think otherwise. <Read more >
Finding good people in the wine industry is not a difficult task. Finding exceptional people that top vintners are “honored to work with” and describe as “inquisitive, hardworking, dedicated and humble” is a more unique discovery. But, Mike Sauer is a unique man. The owner of Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA, Mike has been farming his 150-acre site for 45 years and, with all of his success, priorities have not escaped him. <Read more >
The Port of Benton is embarking on a major expansion of its Vintners Village development in Prosser. A 9,000-square-foot building is already under construction as part of a new stage of development that’s expected ultimately to open 18 nearby lots spread over 11.77 acres. The new structure at the south end of Port Avenue will include three separate bays for lease, each measuring 2,500 square feet. Tenants that sign on to lease space there will be able to finish the interiors to suit their individual needs. Read more >
The first community college in the nation to include a working commercial and teaching winery. The first wine degree program in Washington state. Over 1,000 medals for its wine. Hundreds of graduates working in the wine industry. That’s College Cellars, a flagship program of the Walla Walla Community College (WWCC). “Depending on the year, about half of all of the fruit harvested in Washington is influenced in some way by a WWCC graduate,” says Tim Donahue, Director of Winemaking at College Cellars. Read more >
DeLille’s vineyard sources read like a who’s who of Academy Award-winning actors: Harrison Hill, Klipsun, Ciel Du Cheval, Boushay, and Sagemoor’s Weinbau and Bacchus Vineyards. oming off of last year’s 25th anniversary, DeLille Cellars in Woodinville, WA. continues to maintain a rich winemaking history that has kept it firmly in the state’s upper echelon of wineries since its inception. In fact, DeLille Cellars was named the Washington Winery of The Year for 2017 by Wine Press Northwest. Read more >
If you’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for any length of time, you’ve probably heard of Skamania Lodge. It’s a Cascadian-style retreat located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in the town of Stevenson, WA. The lodge is known for its sweeping views of the Columbia River, 18-hole golf course, award-winning Cascade Dining Room and its close-proximity to Oregon’s famous Multnomah Falls. Read more >
A 13,800 square-foot estate house, wonderfully approachable wines and unforgettable views of the Blue Mountains create a unique experience for visitors to the Walla Walla Valley. Over the past several years, I have been asked the following question several times by friends and family visiting Walla Walla: If you only had time to visit one winery in the Walla Walla Valley, which winery would that be? Read more >
Malbec may have a rather short history in Washington state, but recent vintages show this red grape, which originally comes from France’s Bordeaux region, is establishing a record of excellence since 2011. If you comb through the index to the 2005 edition of The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, you’ll find plenty about Malbec production in France and Argentina, but not a single mention of any Northwest state or province. Read more >
Peter and Olga Osvaldik have reason to be proud of the winery they’ve established in Bellingham, WA. at Dynasty Cellars. With its warm, inviting tasting room and lounge area, local wineophiles and out-of-town visitors alike have come to recognize this as Whatcom County’s “go to” place to meet friends, linger and chat over a glass of quality, handcrafted wine. Read more >
Winery pays homage to its multi-generational roots with a chic tasting room in the style of a 1920’s hotel bar. Set on the grounds of a 118-year-old homestead, Pomeroy Cellars pays homage to its multi-generational roots with a chic tasting room in the style of a 1920’s hotel bar. Winemaker, Dan & Destiny Brink, owners of Pomeroy Cellars. Read more >
A new wine village is about to make its official debut in the Tri-Cities, aiming to bring Washington’s wine industry back to its geographic roots — where the waters of the Columbia, Snake and Yakima Rivers join. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the project is scheduled to take place at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 9th. Read more >
In 2016, a thought-provoking statistic was reported: for the first time in history, Americans spent more money eating out than they did on groceries. Also of note is a report by USA Today that millennials drank 159.6 million cases of wine in 2015 alone — 42 percent of the wine consumed in the U.S. Read more >
Husband and wife team has come a long way since making their first batch of wine in the basement of their Ballard home. ‘The couple’s formula of good wines and stellar customer service has proven so successful that Structure Cellars recently opened a second space in the SoDo Urbanworks Building.’ Read more >
Twenty years ago, Chuck Reininger and his wife, Tracy Tucker, opened the doors to Walla Walla’s first winery dedicated to the Valley’s fruit. REININGER Winery opened in 1997 with a lineup of Bordeaux–style wines sourced from some of the Valley’s oldest vineyards: Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills. Read more >
As the Northwest wine industry began to emerge in the 1970s, the region’s grape growers, winemakers and consumers all looked elsewhere for guidance. The two most powerful influences were California and France so it was natural for growers.
Read more >
The vineyards of Sagemoor are a proud collection of five distinct sites across the Columbia Valley. Since the founders first planted vines in 1972, the idea was always to grow gr apes and sell them to Washington’s preeminent wine makers. Read more >
State of the Industry
There are now more than 900 wineries in the State of Washington, and none of them are exactly alike.
Some are housed in magnificent chateaus, some are housed in remodeled barns and farmhouses, some are housed in former warehouse buildings (the Warehouse District in Woodinville comes to mind), many are housed in urban storefronts that used to sell hardware and clothing, and many are located in out-of-the-way places that require a good map to get to.
Ninety Nine percent of the wine grapes grown in the state are grown in the Columbia Valley, a land mass of 11 million acres located in Eastern Washington that stretches from approximately the town of Brewster in North Central Washington south to the Columbia River and east to Walla Walla. The arid landscape and an average of 17 hours of sunlight during the height of the growing season make this region the perfect place to grow wine grapes.
There’s more to the Washington wine industry, however, than where the grapes are grown.
That’s because during the last 20 years, wineries and tasting rooms have sprung up all over the state. You’ll find hundreds of wineries, tasting rooms and wine bars in Western Washington. You’ll find them on many of the Islands in the Puget Sound, in the greater Seattle area, and in just about every town you can think of along the I-5 corridor from Bellingham, WA. south to Vancouver, WA.
And in Eastern Washington, you’ll find wineries in the heart of Columbia Valley wine country as well as in cities like Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Lake Chelan, Yakima, Walla Walla and Spokane. Wine in Washington State is big business, contributing greatly to the state’s economy.
The best part of having 900-plus wineries in the state is that you have lots of choices of wines to enjoy. If you live in Washington, you’ll most likely find a winery or tasting room in close proximity to where you live. If you feel like traveling to where the grapes are grown, there’s nothing like taking a three-day weekend to visit the hundreds of wineries that are located throughout the Columbia Valley.
But we’re hoping that wherever you live, whether it’s in the neighboring states of Oregon and Idaho or in the Midwest or on the East Coast, you’ll want to come to Washington to enjoy our great wines. We’ve got airports throughout the state that you can fly into to be close to the wineries you would like to visit. When you get here, you’ll find the nicest people in the world. In many cases, the owners of the winery are the people who will be serving you at the tasting counter.
If you can’t get here in person, you can research every Washington winery and the wines they make by visiting their websites, all of which are contained on DiscoverWashingtonWine.com. To make it easy to do your research, we have listed every winery in the State of Washington in alphabetical order by city.
Just click on the “Wineries” tab at the top of this page. If you do, in fact, plan to take a road trip to a specific region or city, you’ll find all of the wineries in that city in one spot.
On the Home Page that you are reading now, you will find a number of feature articles that we hope you will enjoy. New articles will be published in this space on a regular basis, so make sure to come back here often to see what’s new.
Before I leave you, I would like to ask you a favor. If you have enjoyed the time you have spent on DiscoverWashingtonWine.com today, please tell your friends about us via your favorite social media site, or simply call them or send them an e-mail. And please do me the favor of joining our e-mail list so I can keep in touch with you on a monthly basis.
And, one last thing: If there is a winery or a wine-related topic that you would like us to write about, or a wine event you would like our readers to know about, feel free to let me know at: (509) 713-7303, or chuck@discoverwashingtonwine.com.
Charles Leininger
Publisher
DiscoverWashingtonWine.com
