Going to the Rhône

Grenache has been grown in Washington for much of the past half-century, but the Rhône revolution didn’t start here until the first Syrah vines went in the ground 30 years ago.

Now we are seeing an explosion of interest in such Rhône varieties as Grenache, Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah, Counoise, Cinsault – and a whole host of white grapes.

These wines are among the most exciting for consumers, winemakers and grape growers, especially in Washington’s Columbia Valley, but also Southern Oregon as well as Idaho’s Snake River Valley.

Here are a dozen examples of red Rhône blends, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah we’ve tasted in recent weeks.