Guide to Wine Scores

Vintner Stephanie Jones links her passion for winemaking to her avid exploration of the great outdoors. Horseshoe Basin, a stretch of unspoiled backcountry in the north Cascade Mountains, is one of her favorite trailheads and holds a special place in her heart, she says. Stephanie’s recent “trailhead series” is named after this pristine wilderness—a bold, savory red blend of … [Read more...] about Glacier View Cellars 2018 Horseshoe Basin Red Wine

Jaine is a captivating new brand from Matthews Winery devoted exclusively to handcrafted white, sparkling and Rosé wines. The official tasting room, affectionately called Jaine Cottage, brings a breath of fresh air to the center of the Hollywood District in Woodinville, where the vibe feels more like a comfortable setting at a dear friend’s vacation house than a typical tasting … [Read more...] about Jaine Cottage Captivates and Inspires

In mid-2021, Heritage by L’Ecole Wine Bar opened in downtown Walla Walla in the marquee ground floor position at the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel. Deemed one of Walla Walla’s most respected flagship wineries, L’Ecole Nº 41 was founded in 1983 and has been receiving guests for decades at their historic Frenchtown Schoolhouse in Lowden. Visitors to the winery can experience … [Read more...] about Heritage by L’Ecole Nº 41

Jim and Andrea Dahlman grew up in Washington and have deep roots and a connection to the Pacific Northwest. “Wine truly begins in the vineyard and the story of our wines begins with the people who grow the grapes,” Jim tells Washington Tasting Room Magazine. He sand Andrea are purposeful in their task to seek out smaller vineyards and growers in Washington and Oregon, exploring … [Read more...] about 3 Releases from Dahlman Cellars

Isaac Schmid has been on a trajectory to open a winery as far back as 2003. He left the trades as a journeyman electrician and re-entered the workforce in the restaurant industry. After earning a sommelier certificate in 2009 he apprenticed with Joseph Miglino, owner of Martedi Cellars in Monroe. When Martedi relocated to Woodinville in 2013, Isaac was granted an opportunity to … [Read more...] about Synne Cellars Makes An Entrance in Woodinville

Westport Winery in Aberdeen was founded in 2008 by Blaine and Kim Roberts. This splendid coastal destination is also home to Ocean’s Daughter Distillery, the Sea Glass Grill restaurant, and the International Mermaid Museum, the only one of its kind in the world. The breadth and scope of the wines have grown in recent years, evidenced by this latest batch of releases. Visit: … [Read more...] about Westport Winery Releases 6 New Reds & Whites

Among vintner Lisa Warr-King Packer’s latest releases are a series of single-vineyard reds. Crafted with deep fruit flavors and a backbone of acidity (that Washington State is famous for producing), these wines are enjoyable now, yet hold great promise of aging potential as well. Lisa's eponymous winery is in the heart of Woodinville's warehouse winery district, where she … [Read more...] about Single-Vineyard Reds From Warr-King Wines

Owner and winemaker Sandor Faludi was named one of Washington Tasting Room Magazine's "Winery's to Watch" in 2020 for his work producing solidly-crafted red wines. Here are two new releases we reviewed this summer as this Woodinville talent continues to shine with other varietals in his repertoire. Well worth a visit, the winery and tasting room are located in the Woodinville … [Read more...] about 2 Summer Releases from Prohibition Cellars

Terry and Lisa Davenport say they left corporate careers in Seattle to start an estate winery in Walla Walla’s pastoral Southside neighborhood, but it could be that the property, (the site of a former winery) serendipitously found the Davenports and their family. “With 20-year-old vines, a tasting room and production facility in place, the property literally invited itself into … [Read more...] about Kinhaven Offers Great Wine & Blue Mountain Views in Walla Walla

Kendall Mix has a long pedigree in winemaking. He has been making Lawrelin wines since 2000, which began as a modest side project back when he worked at Chateau Ste. Michelle. His career led him to Goose Ridge Winery, then later to Milbrandt Vineyards and Wahluke Wine Co., where he is head winemaker today. One significant aspect that distinguishes Lawrelin from any other winery … [Read more...] about Taste Aged Wines of Distinction at Lawrelin Wine

Founded by two Air Force veterans, Jens and T.J. Hansen, Uva Furem has the distinction of being Washington’s 1,000th bonded winery. The tasting room and wine production facility in Maple Valley sit on a mountainside property that used to be an organic honeybee farm. The first vintage was 2016 and debuted when the winery opened its doors in April of 2020—just after the … [Read more...] about Uva Furem Winery Proves Deadly Serious With New Releases

There is an old adage that great things often come from humble beginnings—and this particular winery, located in a suburban neighborhood north of Seattle, may indeed be one of those next great happenings. The wine production, at least for now, happens in a modest space adjacent to the home in Shoreline, WA where Kevin and Kathryn Mueller live and raise their children. “Kevin … [Read more...] about 3 Releases from Virtue Cellars

Winemaker Lisa Warr-King Packer churns out carefully orchestrated lots of reds, whites and Rosé with consistency. Her wines convey the best of New World expressions, elegantly styled but filled with flavor and appealing nuances. Her latest releases include a head-turning Chenin Blanc, two new Rosés that are equal parts charm and complexity, and a smooth supple red blend. Both … [Read more...] about Red, White and Rosé from Warr-King Wines

This winery continues to wow us ever since we first tasted their inaugural releases a couple years ago. Sin Banderas might be called a micro-winery because of the small number of barrels they produce each year, but the quality and sophistication of their wine speaks loud enough to make it clear they are using some of the best grapes grown in the Yakima Valley AVA. “Our … [Read more...] about 4 Releases from Sin Banderas Winery

Four Flags is a reference to four prime vineyard sites, all located within the Red Mountain AVA (American Viticultural Area), that comprise this flagship red wine. The well-established sites are Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, Grand Ciel Vineyard, Upchurch Vineyard and Klipsun Vineyard. This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is far and away the most widely planted Noble Grape in this … [Read more...] about DeLille Cellars 2018 Four Flags Cabernet Sauvignon, 96 pts.

FOR PROPRIETORS Tim Gamble and Teresa Spellman Gamble, their self-prescribed “social mission” continues to revolve around the winery’s maxim, Great wine for the greater good. Founded in 2018, every aspect of Tinte Cellars’ business model has a built-in mechanism to trigger the spread of charitable giving. Moreover, they donate 5% of all gross wine sales and 10% of gross wine … [Read more...] about Tinte Cellars Opens Tasting Room & Venue in Seattle’s Georgetown

The stars appear aligned for this enterprising husband and wife winery team whose wines project a worldliness that speaks to their years of experience getting to this moment. Peter Devison and Kelsey Malm Devison have spent most of their adult careers in the wine industry. Peter was the winemaker for EFESTE and Cadaretta for 15 years before starting his own consulting … [Read more...] about Devison Vintners On The Rise in Walla Walla

425 Cellars opened in November of 2020 in the quaint Apple Farm Village in the Hollywood District of Woodinville. The winery name is a nod to the area code surrounding the suburbs north and east of Seattle, particularly the Eastside, including Woodinville. Owner and winemaker Cory Barnidge has lived within this area for over 20 years. “The friends and neighbors that we have … [Read more...] about 425 Cellars Focuses on European Style Wines

Owners Emily and Lee Fergestrom broke ground on their winery and tasting room in 2019, but when the construction was finally completed in mid-2020 they were forced to do a virtual opening due to the stay-at-home mandates at that time. Despite the hurtles, the dynamic couple remain optimistic. “We purchased the property because we loved the outdoor experience it provides people, … [Read more...] about Fortuity Cellars Showcases Yakima Valley Appellation

Washington State is little known for producing world-class Pinot Noir, a challenging feat anywhere in the world, however Spoiled Dog Winery on Whidbey Island is changing that perception one bottle of Pinot at a time. Founded in 2003 by Jack and Karen Krug, the winery expanded its family roots when second generation members Jake and Lindsay Krug moved to Whidbey with their … [Read more...] about 3 Releases from Spoiled Dog Winery