PATERSON, Wash. — Columbia Crest Winery, the Pacific Northwest’s largest winery, has unveiled a new look for its value-priced Grand Estates program.
The first wines to feature the new look will hit the market this month as the Paterson, Wash., winery in the Horse Heaven Hills celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
“The goal of the new package is to appeal to new consumers while maintaining our current fan base,” Cary Kloster, senior marketing manager for Columbia Crest, said in a news release. “The new look incorporates design elements to improve shelf presence, which will lead to greater consumer awareness and trial.”
The Grand Estates portfolio includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, the Armitage red blend, Syrah, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. This summer, the winery will introduce an unoaked Chardonnay. All wines are available nationally and retail for $12.
Columbia Crest research indicated the former label failed to connect with new shoppers, so its marketing team wanted to transition the design to “modern classic,” Kloster said. Red wines feature a platinum foil capsule. The white wines capsule is described as sterling.
In 2007, Columbia Crest entered a partnership with Bobby Flay, the renowned chef and Food Network star who helped promote and market the Grand Estates brand.
Head winemaker Juan Muñoz-Oca and his team are responsible for more 2 million cases and four tiers at Columbia Crest.
While most the production falls into the “Best Buy” category, Columbia Crest also set a milestone for quality. In 2009, the Columbia Crest 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was named the No. 1 Wine in the World by Wine Spectator magazine. It was the first time a Washington state wine has received the ranking.
I have been buying this brand for years. Approx. 6 to 8 bottles a week. The idea that the new labeling will “appeal to new consumers while maintaining our current fan base” is crazy. It’s just the kind of thing marketing and advertising people do to justify their jobs within corporations. I for one do not like the change “just for the sake of change”. I have purchased 5 or 6 bottles already from Safeway and Basha’s in Gilbert, AZ. I actually get the feeling that the wine has changed and am now trying a few other brands trying to search out a new one that suits my taste. Just a ridiculous change for no common sense reason.
So disappointing. Grand estates used to be a nice creamy, but not over Oaked chardonnay.
May as well be a dry white, tart blanc. Have been buying this wine for years. No more. Off to find a new favorite.
Very important for you to put a tag on the bottle to tell people it’s not just the label that has changed.its the wine. You will see a change in volume purchased..
The LAST thing we need is another head shaking dry puckering chard.
Greetings, Katherine.
I agree with you that there are fewer examples of creamy, buttery and oaky Chardonnay in the Pacific Northwest. My wife enjoys that style on occasion, and has been known to ask for a bottle of Rombauer from time to time.
As Andy noted within the comments of his story years ago, you may consider reaching out to the folks at Columbia Crest and sharing your opinion with them.
Sincerely,
Eric
Hunting around town for my favorite Columbia Crest Merlot and realize you changed the label and it’s awful, looks like cheap bottled wine labels and maybe it’s just me but doesn’t even taste the same. I have been buying this for many years now as our nightly dinner wine and sorry to say I know have to try looking for another Merlot. Always loved your local winery and wines but this was a bad move, I couldn’t even see your bottles without really hunting through all the other labels!
Margaret, did you mean to direct this to the folks at Columbia Crest? I’d suggest you head to their website and contact them directly, as they likely won’t find your comment here on our site and a months-old story.
Sincerely,
Andy Perdue
Great Northwest Wine
What was Original Nmae of Columbia Crest Grand Estates Red Blend?
Greetings, Dan.
I’m not sure if I’m tackling some sort of bar bet here, but it could have been tied to the transition from Columbia Crest’s Estate Series. I couldn’t readily track that down.
Sincerely,
Eric
I also have been buying Columbia crest grand estates , merlot for many many years. I agree with the above responses that not only the label changed but also the actual product.
I have been trying to find a Merlot that I can enjoy as I had always in the past with CC grand estates. Still looking.
Change is not always good.
Greetings, Mary.
I would suggest that you try the Goose Ridge Winery 2019 g3 Merlot. For the past three years, The Seattle Times has asked me to create a pair of Top 20 lists. Last fall, that Merlot ranked No. 1 on my 20 Under $20 list.
https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/the-northwests-20-best-wines-for-under-20-2/
https://www.gooseridge.com/Wines/g3-by-Goose-Ridge
I have known and admired the wines by Maurine Johnson for many years, and she’s in charge of that program for the Monson family, so while I have not yet evaluated the 2020 g3 Merlot, I would expect the profile to be quite similar.
Sincerely,
Eric