Red Mountain, a little hill on the eastern edge of Washington's Yakima Valley has fast become the premiere location for growing red wine grapes in Washington (sorry Walla Walla). At just 4,040 acres, it is Washington's smallest American Viticultural Area, and it's the third smallest in the entire Pacific Northwest (after Ribbon Ridge in Oregon's Willamette Valley at 3,350 acres … [Read more...] about Red Mountain wine continues rise in prominence
Cashmere winery Crayelle tops Wenatchee wine judging
WENATCHEE - A small winery in Cashmere took home top honors at the seventh annual Wenatchee Wine & Food Festival competition. Crayelle Cellars, owned and operated by longtime Washington winemaker Craig Mitrakul, took home top honors for his 2016 Albariño, a white Spanish variety that is gaining momentum with Washington winemakers. The Cornell and Rutgers grad has made … [Read more...] about Cashmere winery Crayelle tops Wenatchee wine judging
Private Barrel Auction shows off unique Washington wines
WOODINVILLE, Wash. - On Friday, the Auction of Washington Wines will play host to its annual Private Barrel Auction, in which members of the wine trade get a chance to taste barrel samples of wines exclusive to this auction. In other words, patrons have a chance to try and purchase wines found nowhere else. The auction will be staged at Chateau Ste. Michelle, home of the … [Read more...] about Private Barrel Auction shows off unique Washington wines
Merlot, straight up delicious
It's been 13 years since the movie Sideways told filmgoers to not drink Merlot. It's time to get over it. Merlot, especially in the Pacific Northwest, is delicious, one of the best and most prolific red wines we make. The numbers bear out the fact that Washington grape growers and winemakers didn't pay much attention to Sideways. In 2003, the year before Sideways, Washington … [Read more...] about Merlot, straight up delicious
Chardonnay popular on both sides of Columbia River
Chardonnay is by far the most popular wine in America, and in the Pacific Northwest, it also has strong support. In Washington, it is the No. 1 white wine grape, keeping ahead of Riesling but lagging behind Cabernet Sauvignon. Across the Columbia River in Oregon, it is the No. 2 white grape behind Pinot Gris and far behind Pinot Noir, the state's signature wine. Chateau … [Read more...] about Chardonnay popular on both sides of Columbia River