Guide to Wine Scores

Long Shadows Vintners 2016 Poet’s Leap Riesling, $20 Crisp and well sculpted, this version offers aromas and flavors of pear, apple, apricot and honeysuckle interwoven with white flower, citrus and spice notes. A slight touch of effervescence lends appeal on the clean and refreshing finish. Editor's Choice - Outstanding Production: 4,900 cases Alcohol: 12.5% Long Shadows … [Read more...] about Long Shadows & Nine Hats

Winemaker Casey McClellan's family first arrived in Eastern Washington in the 1880s, putting down roots while farming wheat in the fertile region. One hundred years later, he and his father worked side-by-side on the Walla Walla Valley's first significant planting of Bordeaux varietals in what became the original blocks of Seven Hills Vineyard. Casey and his wife, Vicky, went … [Read more...] about Seven Hills 2014 Walla Walla Valley Red Wine, $35

A family owned boutique winery founded in 2007, located in the beautiful Columbia Gorge, Jacob Williams is named in honor of owner Brad Gearhart’s two sons, Jacob and William. For over a decade, Brad has worked with winemaking veteran John Haw and sources fruit from the Columbia Valley and Columbia Gorge AVAs. John Haw spent many years crafting Pinot Noir in nearby … [Read more...] about Pinot Noir + 5 Current Releases from Jacob Williams Winery

Bill Grassie began making a few hundred cases of wine in 2011 and has been accelerating production ever since. “I have drank wine for a long time but I didn’t necessary set out to start a winery,” says Bill. “But I bought this property on five acres in Fall City, Wash. in 2007 and had this bare patch of land in the front yard. I couldn’t figure out what to do with it, so I … [Read more...] about William Grassie Wine Estates Hits The Ground Running

EFESTE, pronounced F-S-T, is an acronym for the winery's founders. Their idea to make two barrels of wine based on the Ferrelli annual tradition of winemaking has since evolved  into a significant label. You can taste their wines at the winery and tasting room in Woodinville, Wash. EFESTE 2013 Final-Final Red Blend, $30 Editor's Choice – Extraordinary Production: 4,100 … [Read more...] about EFESTE 2013 Final-Final and 2013 Estate Petit Verdot

The Mercer family has been on the move in eastern Washington since the 1880s, where their pride of stewardship over their land has been evident in the family’s rich history as ranchers, farmers, and wine grape growers. The family’s farm lands and vineyards are in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, recognized as one of the state’s top viticultural regions, and practically synonymous … [Read more...] about 6 New Releases from Mercer Wine Estate

Mari Womack’s inaugural releases easily pass muster in Woodinville’s competitive arena. Damsel Cellars may be one of Washington’s newer wineries, however Mari’s polished touch demonstrates this winemaker-to-watch has a knack for crafting serious reds. “I came from a restaurant background working in college and caught the wine bug in my ‘20s,” she says of her early love. Any … [Read more...] about 3 Reds From Damsel Cellars

The talented team behind Rocky Pond has been busy. Since first reporting on this winery in 2015, they’ve since opened a tasting room in the Woodinville Warehouse District and another in downtown Chelan. One gets the feeling they are just getting started. Owners David and Michelle Dufenhorst’s wine story began about six years ago in Orondo, Wash. where they bought land to … [Read more...] about Rocky Pond Comes To Woodinville & Chelan

Fourth-generation Walla Wallan Justin Wylie, owner and winemaker of Va Piano, became fascinated with the wine industry literally sprouting up in his backyard. Inspired, he began making wine in his garage, learning from local winemakers, growers and aficionados. Before long Justin found his palate and his hobby turned into a passion. With the encouragement from friends and … [Read more...] about Va Piano Expands Beyond Walla Walla

“I’m a baker, I love to bake. That’s kind of what winemaking is for me,” explains Lisa Warr-King Packer, likening the science of cellar work to her baking prowess. The self-described lifelong gourmand spent years in the high-tech world before switching career tracks after a startup company she was working for fell apart. “I was at a point in my life where I was burned out,” … [Read more...] about 4 Releases from Warr-King Wines

Travel down a tree-lined country lane on the edge of the Old Highway in Walla Walla and you'll discover a winery surrounded by lush pastures, estate vineyard and a horse farm. Formerly Glencorrie, the winery is now home to Enchanted Cellars and for new owners Will and Debbie Miller, it's a dream come true. Tastings now occur in the converted tack room, which has received an … [Read more...] about Enchanted Cellars Purchases Former Glencorrie Label

Winery co-owners Mike Metheny and Lisa Swei both have day jobs—these good friends have spent the past couple years working together on a Microsoft project through a high-tech consulting firm. On weekends and in their spare time, they throw their combined energies into Three of Cups, named after the tarot card that symbolizes conviviality, abundance, joy and friendship—all … [Read more...] about 3 Releases from Three of Cups

Proprietary red blends are hugely popular in Washington and Eye of the Needle owners, Bob and Lauren Bullock, have been on the forefront of this trend since 2009. As negociants, their reputation for quality wines have spread to their “Bottles for Bread” campaign that contributes to Northwest Harvest and helps provide thousands of meals to hungry people statewide. The Bullock’s … [Read more...] about 2 Red Blends From Eye of the Needle

Chris Gorman is a veteran winemaker who first built his reputation around luxe wines back in 2002, and has since added other premium labels such as his Ashan Chardonnay and high-end, value-driven line called "The Devil You Know" and "The Devil You Don't Know."  The most recent addition to this label is a Cabernet Sauvignon called "Old Scratch."  Read the feature article and … [Read more...] about 9 Releases From Gorman Winery

Woodinville-based Finn Hill Winery is the product of biomedical engineer Rob Entrekin's love and curiosity for the wine making process. Upon completing WSU's enology certificate program in the late 2000's, Rob immersed himself in the science of all things wine, often veering from the norm to satisfy his goal of "handcrafting small lots of premium Washington wine." We recently … [Read more...] about 6 New Releases From Finn Hill Winery

Bob and Lauren Bullock at Eye of the Needle specialize in sleuthing out exceptional quality wines at reasonable prices. This "old vine" Merlot was crafted from 55-year-old vines from the famed Otis Vineyard in the Yakima Valley, a genuine bargain and truly incredible value at this price. Eye of the Needle 2012 Reserve Merlot Nose: Generous aromas of black fruit, graham, briar … [Read more...] about Eye of the Needle 2012 Reserve Merlot, $30

Hightower Cellars' winemakers, Tim and Kelly Hightower, aged this rich red wine in a combination of French oak barrels (75%) and Hungarian oak (25%) using two-thirds estate-grown fruit, with the balance of grapes sourced from neighboring E&E Shaw Vineyard. Hightower 2012 Red Mountain Merlot Powerful and broad in texture, this sumptuous red wine offers generous aromas of … [Read more...] about Hightower 2012 Red Mountain Merlot, $25

Boyd and Karen Buckingham’s interest in the wine industry began when their children attended school in Walla Walla over a decade ago. Convinced by a noted winemaker that they too could make wine, they gathered five other couples with similar passions and made a barrel of wine together in their barn in Sammamish. Winegrape grower Kent Waliser of Sagemoor Vineyards agreed to sell … [Read more...] about Sol Stone 2013 Upland Vineyards Tempranillo, $28

Négociants Bob and Lauren Bullock have spent years establishing personal relationships with top wineries and vineyards around the state to deliver premium wines at affordable prices at Eye of the Needle winery in Woodinville. Bob believed this wine to be sold out until he recently discovered a case that had gone missing in the cellar for a few years. Easily considered a … [Read more...] about Eye of the Needle 2012 Rosé of Merlot, $20

The Estates Wine Room is an urban tasting room is in the historic Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle. The chic wine bar offers tiered tasting flights, glass pours and small plates of charcuterie and cheese. The Estates Wine Room showcases Double Canyon and Archery Summit, as well as Seven Hills Winery which was recently acquired by Crimson Wine Group. Flights of Pinot … [Read more...] about The Estates Wine Room Features Double Canyon & Archery Summit