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Tasting Room Magazine

The magazine for people who love wine tasting

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Guide to Wine Scores

Our wine reviews are based on evaluative tastings by Tasting Room Magazine’s editors. Overall score ratings are based on aroma; flavor; typicity of character; structure and balance. Quality-to-price ratio (QPR) can play a factor, meaning that an $80 wine with a score of 90 pts. falls in a much higher league than that of a $15 wine given the same score.

95-100 pts. – Extraordinary: a truly great wine of its variety
91-94 pts. – Outstanding: exceptional quality, character and complexity
88-90 pts. – Excellent: very well made and highly recommended
85-87 pts. – Recommended: a solid wine, may offer superior value if the price is right

Convergence Zone Cellars Migrates to Tri-Cities in Central Washington

May 9, 2024

As did many well-respected winemakers in the region, Scott Greenberg began making wine commercially in a Woodinville warehouse in the early 2000s. Soon he developed a reputation for crafting structured and flavorful reds and whites in small, high-quality batches, like his flagship Storm Front Bordeaux-style blend. “I started the winery to make wine that would pair well with … [Read more...] about Convergence Zone Cellars Migrates to Tri-Cities in Central Washington

Mercer Wine Estates To Open Walla Walla Tasting Room in Summer 2024

April 27, 2024

Walla Walla, WA — Mercer Wine Estates has announced they will open a new tasting room at 18 E. Main Street in Walla Walla, WA in July 2024. The Mercer family has operated a tasting room in Prosser, WA since 2009, and this new location will offer the full line of Mercer Small Lot and Reserve wines, plus the new addition of a natural-wine brand aptly named Sonova Sage. Mercer … [Read more...] about Mercer Wine Estates To Open Walla Walla Tasting Room in Summer 2024

Reviews: Washington-Grown Grenache

April 16, 2024

Reviews of 21 releases of Grenache from top Pacific Northwest producers … [Read more...] about Reviews: Washington-Grown Grenache

Whitman Hill Is Yakima Valley’s Newest Destination Winery

March 10, 2024

Whitman Hill Winery offers easy access on Roza Drive, an area that beckons with postcard-like charm amid a bucolic mixed-use setting of vineyards, hops, orchard farms and horse ranches near the epicenter of Zillah’s winegrowing region about 20 minutes from Yakima. Owners Scott and Denise Whitman (whose maiden name is Hill) purchased the former winery, Agate Field, in … [Read more...] about Whitman Hill Is Yakima Valley’s Newest Destination Winery

Glacier View Cellars Mixes Passion for The Great Outdoors With Handcrafted Wines

March 7, 2024

Owner and vintner Stephanie Jones is an avid hiker and backpacker, and she brings that enthusiasm into Glacier View Cellar’s new Woodinville tasting room in ways that capture the spirit of naturalist John Muir’s holistic vision of the great outdoors. “When you tug at a single thing in nature, you’ll find it attached to the rest of the world,” Muir wrote. He was likely referring … [Read more...] about Glacier View Cellars Mixes Passion for The Great Outdoors With Handcrafted Wines

Cairdeas Brings Rhône-Inspired Wines to South Seattle

March 5, 2024

Fans of Rhône-inspired wines on the western side of the state will be cheered to hear that owners Charlie and Lacey Lybecker have opened Cairdeas’ long-anticipated Seattle tasting room. The location is south of downtown and is part of the SODO Urbanworks complex on 1st Avenue at the intersection of Andover. The Lybeckers, who released their first vintage in West Seattle back … [Read more...] about Cairdeas Brings Rhône-Inspired Wines to South Seattle

Sparkling Wine Producer Pops Up in Prosser

March 2, 2024

Launched by three WSU Viticulture and Enology graduates in 2021, Tirriddis’ name is an amalgamate of Tirage, Riddle and Disgorge—the three key steps to produce sparkling wines using the traditional method. Although it can be said there is little else that falls under the category of “traditional” from the entrepreneurial-minded team of Andrew Gerow, Gabriel Crowell and Matthew … [Read more...] about Sparkling Wine Producer Pops Up in Prosser

Reviews: Single-Vineyard Designates

December 27, 2023

We take a deep dive into the study of terroir with reviews of 21 unique vineyard designates, most often called single-vineyard wines. … [Read more...] about Reviews: Single-Vineyard Designates

Tsillan Cellars Continues Tradition of Excellence with the 2021 Bellissima Rossa

November 17, 2023

Winery founder and owner Bob Jankelson, along with head winemaker Garrett Grubbs, have garnered much attention lately for their praise-worthy red and white estate wines grown near the shores of Lake Chelan. A combination of a unique growing site, coupled with the “lake effect” make wines from the Lake Chelan AVA highly noteworthy. Tsillan Cellars is one of the appellation’s … [Read more...] about Tsillan Cellars Continues Tradition of Excellence with the 2021 Bellissima Rossa

Reviews: New World Red Bordeaux-Style Wines

October 11, 2023

In the Fall 2023 print edition we featured 28 Bordeaux-style red wines 
shown below from Washington State producers. … [Read more...] about Reviews: New World Red Bordeaux-Style Wines

Mercer Wines Shine With Terroir of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA

October 5, 2023

Armed with world-class grapes from their family vineyards farmed in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, proprietors Rob and Brenda Mercer have branched out over time with several Mercer Wine brands. The brands range from premium Mercer Reserves to Small Lot selections to Mercer Bros, and Subsoil value-buys. The Mercer family planted the first wine grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills in … [Read more...] about Mercer Wines Shine With Terroir of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA

Muret-Gaston Winery Brings Premium Wines and Mediterranean Bites To Kennewick

September 22, 2023

Kyle and Amy Johnson are the power-couple behind the success of Muret-Gaston Winery and sister wineries, Purple Star and Native Sun. The husband-and-wife winemaking team established their Benton City production facility in 2012. Most recently, in mid-2022 they opened a sleek modern tasting room and wine bar in historic downtown Kennewick that offers patio seating overlooking … [Read more...] about Muret-Gaston Winery Brings Premium Wines and Mediterranean Bites To Kennewick

Damsel Cellars Opens 2nd Tasting Room in Woodinville

September 20, 2023

Mari (pronounced Mary) Womack has been earning respect and praise for crafting singular wines of distinction since her inaugural 2012 and 2013 releases of Cabernet and Syrah [eaerning her “winemaker to watch” in Washington Tasting Room Magazine’s Summer 2016 issue]. Mari’s killer winemaking instincts and trusted palate honed from her earlier restaurant background are … [Read more...] about Damsel Cellars Opens 2nd Tasting Room in Woodinville

4 Reds from Prohibition Cellars

September 19, 2023

Sandor and Sabrina Faludi continue to build upon a following that has been attracted to this Woodinville warehouse winery ever since they opened in 2019. The husband and wife team turn out small-lot reds and whites served at this gem of a tasting room with hospitable flair. Hungarian-born Sandor says he fosters Old World philosophy, much inspired by his grandfather, who was a … [Read more...] about 4 Reds from Prohibition Cellars

Hollywood Actor Kyle MacLachlan Brings Theatrical Flair to Walla Walla

September 15, 2023

Yakima-native and screen star Kyle MacLachlan is best known for his film and television roles in cult classics such as Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks. He is also well known in wine circles around the state for his Pursued by Bear wines, which he established 18 years ago. Celebrity status aside, the wines here are on a par far above the norm. “I grew up in Eastern Washington, not … [Read more...] about Hollywood Actor Kyle MacLachlan Brings Theatrical Flair to Walla Walla

New Ownership Takes Dancing Fish Vineyards to the Next Generation

September 6, 2023

FIVE-STAR HOSPITALITY and a host of festive events combine with first-rate wines in an elegant country setting at this Whidbey Island winery in the town of Freeland WA. Founders Brad and Nancy Thompson have retired and passed the torch to new owners Ross and Erin Egge. Ross spent much of his youth at a family home on Whidbey Island before embarking on a career that … [Read more...] about New Ownership Takes Dancing Fish Vineyards to the Next Generation

Reviews: Around the World With Washington Wine

June 30, 2023

Reviews of seven distinctive categories from select Washington wineries: Sparkling Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Rosé, Sangiovese and Sauvignon Blanc … [Read more...] about Reviews: Around the World With Washington Wine

Upscale Italian Vibes at Tsillan Cellars in Woodinville

April 25, 2023

Lake Chelan-based Tsillan Cellars has operated a satellite tasting room in Woodinville since 2017. Now, to better serve their wine club members and guests, founder Bob Jankelson and his talented team recently moved the tasting room across Woodinville into the ever-popular “Wine Alley” section of the Woodin Creek retail district (in October of 2022). There is plenty of … [Read more...] about Upscale Italian Vibes at Tsillan Cellars in Woodinville

Browne Family Vineyards Brings Wine & Craft Spirits to Bellevue

April 21, 2023

Browne Family Vineyards has opened their fourth tasting room, this time in Bellevue WA, bringing Walla Walla wines to residents of Seattle’s Eastside. The elegant and refined décor has a timeless feel, like stepping inside a 1940s-era British manor from the set of The Kingsman film series—a nod of honor to the founder’s grandfather who was a war hero and top intelligence agent … [Read more...] about Browne Family Vineyards Brings Wine & Craft Spirits to Bellevue

Alluvium Cellars is ‘Winery to Watch’ in Warehouse District

April 20, 2023

Armed with an enthusiasm for fine wine, Tyson and Brittany Trautmann started experimenting with winemaking techniques on a small-scale in their garage. Their skills and dedication grew as they scaled up production, officially commencing Alluvium Cellars in 2019. They opened a Woodinville tasting room with a “modern rustic aesthetic” at The Junction, a collection of … [Read more...] about Alluvium Cellars is ‘Winery to Watch’ in Warehouse District

Dahlman Cellars Wine Bar in Tacoma’s Stadium District

April 16, 2023

When Washington Tasting Room Magazine initially reported on Jim and Andrea Dahlman’s winery venture [Fall 2021 issue], their first commercial wines had been released but they did not yet have a tasting room. Though still a small-size winery at 800 cases annual production (and growing), their dream has materialized into a cozy neighborhood-style wine bar in Tacoma’s historic … [Read more...] about Dahlman Cellars Wine Bar in Tacoma’s Stadium District

Reviews: Southern Rhône-Inspired Wines

April 11, 2023

As featured in the Spring 2023 print issue of Washington Tasting Room Magazine, here are 21 … [Read more...] about Reviews: Southern Rhône-Inspired Wines

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About the Magazine

Tasting Room® magazine is the ultimate authority on the Washington wine scene and your personal tour guide to wineries, vineyards, destinations and travel tips, and artisan foods, chefs and artists. In short, Tasting Room is a metaphor for life’s simple pleasures that pair remarkably well with wine—touring, food, travel, culture, recreation and people.

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