Guide to Wine Scores

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

Hungarian-born Sandor Faludi grew up in a wine region where he says most of his neighbors tended a small vineyard for the purpose of making their own wine. With winemaking in his genealogy, Sandor and his wife Sabrina moved to Sonoma County in 2010 where he continued to hone his winemaking style as assistant winemaker at Derbès Wines, a five-acre estate winery in the Russian … [Read more...] about 2 Releases From Prohibition Cellars

In 2020, Annette Bergevin and company relocated their tasting room across town to The Showroom on Colville, a market hall that brings together a collection of shops, wine and food. “This is more than just an opening, this is more than just a tasting room for us,” says owner Annette Bergevin. “This space has been years in the making and our new tasting room is finally a … [Read more...] about Bergevin Lane Vineyards Continues To Impress Despite Challenges

Pursuing a long-time dream of opening a winery, Doug and Kimberley Bianchi relocated from Western Washington to East Wenatchee after purchasing a farm overlooking the Columbia River Valley. Doug was on a business trip in Wenatchee when he stumbled upon the ideal vineyard and winery property. But he needed Kimberley’s blessing to make the move. “I recall Kim saying, ‘Let me … [Read more...] about Inaugural Releases From Bianchi Vineyards

Jason Smith’s first career was in high tech, which prompted him to name his winery after the ethernet networking cable referred to as “Cat 5 wire.” Newly opened in the Winery Warehouse District in August 2020, Jason employs technology to create a unique tasting venue. “All our lights are WiFi LED that can change between 16 million colors,” he explains. “We can light the room to … [Read more...] about 3 Releases From Category 5 Cellars

Jay Krutulis, a former corporate attorney, and Matt Reilly, who left behind an architecture career to make wine, met during enrollment for enology and viticulture classes in Walla Walla. “It quickly became apparent to both of us that we shared well-aligned perspectives on wines and winemaking,” Jay says. “We began to formulate the idea for a winery that would become Prospice.” … [Read more...] about Prospice Wines Opens In Walla Walla’s Airport District

Rocky Pond Estate Winery has moved from Woodinville's warehouse winery district into a sleek tasting room located across town in the hip, urban Woodin Creek Village complex. Borrowing a page from the playbook of Napa Valley wineries, they now offer illuminating chef-driven food and wine pairings that bring an elevated experience to wine tasting. There’s a ton of seating … [Read more...] about Rocky Pond Estate Winery Elevates Wine Experience With Chef-Curated Pairings

Mercer Estates Winery rolled out a nationwide can wine brand in 2019 called ICAN. Great for on-the-go consumers, all ICAN products are rechillable, resealable and recyclable. In 2020 they extended the popular ICAN brand with a line of Hard Seltzers. The four wine-based hard seltzers we reviewed are all-natural, gluten-free and vegan—made with natural fruit flavors local to … [Read more...] about Mercer Estates Introduces the ICAN Hard Seltzer Series

“We were lucky to have moved close to Poulsbo. It is such a unique, historical and beloved Nordic waterfront town,” says Gretchen Adams. She and her husband Les opened the storefront tasting room on the city’s Front Street, a popular place for tourists, boaters and locals. The couple share equally in the winemaking duties. After her oldest son was born, Gretchen decided to … [Read more...] about State 42 Wines Comes To Poulsbo