RICHLAND, Wash. — The Charlie Hoppes we all know now, the one who soared through the ranks at Château Ste. Michelle, who started Fidélitas, the Wine Boss … was nearly Boeing-engineer Charlie Hoppes. A Plane Boss, at best. He majored in economics, with a minor in accounting at Eastern Washington University, determined to become a Charlie Hoppes you’d trust with your money, … [Read more...] about The Wines that Made Us: Charlie Hoppes, Wine Boss and a 1980s Kiona Cab
Washington wine
In memoriam: A toast to some we lost during 2023 vintage
Richard Henry “Dick” Shaw, who felt most comfortable in the boardroom or riding in a farm truck, was behind some of Washington’s top-scoring wines and its best values with his 3,500 acres of vineyards. The Tacoma native saw the 2023 vintage come to a close before he died Oct. 27 at age 84 in Richland of congestive heart failure, with his wife, Wendy, by his side. The Shaws … [Read more...] about In memoriam: A toast to some we lost during 2023 vintage
Paul Champoux to stage tasting of 100-point wines by Quilceda Creek
PROSSER, Wash. — For those curious to taste a 100-point wine, storied grower Paul Champoux will have six of them lined up for a unique fundraising experience featuring Cabernet Sauvignon by famed Quilceda Creek Vintners. The affable Champoux playfully yet appropriately refers to it as a “600-point tasting.” Champoux has donated single bottles of the 2002, 2003, 2005, … [Read more...] about Paul Champoux to stage tasting of 100-point wines by Quilceda Creek
Bobby Richards turns 4 entries into 4 golds, best of show for storied Seven Hills Winery
WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Few jobs are as pressure-packed as working the line at a popular restaurant or the crush pad at a famous winery. For a couple of years, Bobby Richards somehow did both before turning in his apron and settling in at Seven Hills Winery in downtown Walla Walla. “I don’t really remember how I did it, and I don’t know that I’d want to,” Richards says … [Read more...] about Bobby Richards turns 4 entries into 4 golds, best of show for storied Seven Hills Winery
The Wine Knows: An accidental wine expert
RICHLAND, Wash. — I never grew up thinking I’d one day be considered a wine expert. I have two distinct wine memories from growing up in a naval town west of Seattle. The first is a box of California red wine that my mom kept in our refrigerator. It might have even been labeled “Chillable Red.” The other is going to an Italian restaurant called Tony’s, which made … [Read more...] about The Wine Knows: An accidental wine expert