NW wineries shine at Riverside International Wine Competition

TEMECULA, Calif. – Pacific Northwest wineries continue to show well this year in major wine competitions, and last week at the Riverside International Wine Competition in Southern California wines from the Northwest earned 24 gold medals or better.

Chateau Ste. Michelle won two Chairman’s Awards and best of class, one for its Artist Series Meritage and one for its Eroica Gold Riesling.

Ste. Michelle, Washington’s largest and oldest winery, also won four gold medals, so head winemaker Bob Bertheau’s team produced six wines that merited at least a gold medal in the judging that ended May 7.

Lake Breeze Vineyard on British Columbia’s Naramata Bench also won two Chairman’s Awards.

Other wineries winning at least two gold medals include Zerba Cellars in Milton-Freewater, Ore.,; Roza Ridge near Zillah, Wash.; and Westport Winery near Aberdeen, Wash.

The Riverside International Wine Competition is run by longtime California wine journalist Dan Berger and is conducted at South Coast Winery in Temecula. A Chairman’s Award is the equivalent of a unanimous double gold medal.

Here is the list of medal winners from wineries in Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho.

Chairman’s Award/Best of class

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Artist Series Meritage, Columbia Valley, $55

Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen 2013 Eroica Gold Riesling, Columbia Valley, $30

Claar Cellars 2011 White Bluffs Merlot, Columbia Valley, $22

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Cabernet Franc, British Columbia, $25

Lake Breeze Vineyards 2013 Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $19

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2013 Masada Bloc Syrah, Umpqua Valley, $32

Spangler Vineyards 2012 Petite Sirah, Alexander Valley, $32

Tesoaria Vineyard & Winery 2011 Kadarka, Southern Oregon, $45

Zerba Cellars 2012 Cockburn Vineyard Dolcetto, Walla Walla Valley, $36

Chairman’s Award

Lake Breeze Vineyards 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $22

Northwest Cellars 2012 Malbec, Red Mountain, $48

Telaya Wine Co. 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $35

Gold/Best of class

Cougar Crest Estate Winery 2011 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $55

JoieFarm 2013 PTG, Okanagan Valley, $24

Bench 1775 2014 Chill, Okanagan Valley, $17

Gold

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2013 Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling, Columbia Valley, $16

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2013 Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2013 Harvest Select Sweet Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10

Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen 2013 Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley, $20

Citation 2012 Chardonnay, Oregon, $30

Maison L’Envoy 2013 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30

Roza Ridge 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Hills, $20

Roza Ridge 2010 Syrah, Rattlesnake Hills, $20

Sinclair Estate Vineyards 2011 Pentatonic, Columbia Valley, $40

Westport Winery NV Mercy Cider, Washington, $19

Westport Winery 2012 Red Willow Vineyard Smoky Nor’wester, Yakima Valley, $26

Zerba Cellars 2012 Wild Z, Walla Walla Valley, $24

Silver

Bench 1775 2014 Gewürztraminer, Okanagan Valley, $20

Bench 1775 2014 Glow Rose, Okanagan Valley, $20

Bench 1775 2013 Meritage, Okanagan Valley, $30

Bench 1775 2014 Pinot Grigio, Okanagan Valley, $17

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Okanagan Valley, $35

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Meritage, Okanagan Valley, $45

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2012 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, $33

Calona Vineyards 2013 Sovereign Opal, Okanagan Valley, $13

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $30

Citation 2004 Pinot Noir, Oregon, $75

Colter’s Creek Winery 2012 Arrow Rim Red, Idaho, $30

Cougar Crest Estate Winery 2011 Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, $42

Cougar Crest Estate Winery 2011 Meritage, Walla Walla Valley, $38

Demri Layne 2013 White Bluffs Riesling, Columbia Valley, $13

Dussek 2012 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $20

Dusted Valley Vintners 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $35

Dusted Valley Vintners 2012 Petite Sirah, Wahluke Slope, $42

Dusted Valley Vintners 2012 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $32

Firesteed Cellars 2013 Pinot Grigio, Oregon, $13

Girardet Vineyards & Winery 2012 Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley, $59

Hedgeline 2013 Riesling, Washington, $9

Hyatt Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Hills, $13

Hyatt Vineyards 2012 Merlot, Rattlesnake Hills, $13

JoieFarm 2014 A Noble Blend, Okanagan Valley, $24

Karma Vineyards 2012 Blanc de Noirs, Lake Chelan, $70

Karma Vineyards 2011 Brut, Columbia Valley, $46

Karma Vineyards 2008 Brut, Columbia Valley, $50

Karma Vineyards 2011 Pink Bubbles, Lake Chelan, $40

Karma Vineyards 2011 South, Columbia Valley, $35

Karma Vineyards 2011 Try, Columbia Valley, $35

Karma Vineyards 2010 Zen, Columbia Valley, $40

Kennedy Shah 2012 La Vie en Rouge, Columbia Valley, $14

Kennedy Shah 2012 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $14

Lake Breeze Vineyards 2012 Meritage, Okanagan Valley, $21

Lake Breeze Vineyards 2014 Pinot Grigio, Okanagan Valley, $19

Lake Breeze Vineyards 2013 Semillon, Okanagan Valley, $19

Lake Breeze Vineyards 2012 Seven Poplars Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, $25

Malaga Springs Winery 2012 Malbec, Washington State, $24

Noble Ridge Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Okanagan Valley, $45

Noble Ridge Vineyards 2012 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, $30

Open Kimono 2013 Riesling, Washington, $10

Pacific Rim Winemakers 2013 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $14

Pacific Rim Winemakers 2014 Twin Vineyards Gewurztraminer, Yakima Valley, $15

Perimeter 2013 Riesling, Washington, $10

Poplar Grove Winery 2011 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, $30

Poplar Grove Winery 2014 Pinot Grigio, Okanagan Valley, $20

Red Rooster Winery 2013 Hen House Ruffled Red, British Columbia, $17

Red Rooster Winery 2013 Hen House Sly White, British Columbia, $15

Red Rooster Winery 2013 Pinot Noir, British Columbia, $20

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2013 Hebron Bloc Grenache, Umpqua Valley, $27

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2013 Revelation and Sorek Bloc Gruner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley, $24

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Umpqua Valley, $23

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2014 Viognier, Umpqua Valley, $27

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2013 Winemaker’s Reserve Pinot Noir, Umpqua Valley, $39

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2013 Winemaker’s Reserve Syrah, Umpqua Valley, $39

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2013 Winemaker’s Reserve Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley, $39

Roza Ridge 2011 Petit Verdot, Rattlesnake Hills, $20

San Juan Vineyards 2014 Riesling, Yakima Valley, $17

San Juan Vineyards 2014 Siegerrebe, Puget Sound, $22

Sandhill 2014 Hidden Terrace Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $19

Sandhill 2013 King Family Vineyard Pinot Grigio, Okanagan Valley, $15

Sandhill 2014 Osprey Ridge Vineyard Viognier, Okanagan Valley, $19

Sandhill 2013 Sandhill Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, $18

Sandhill 2014 Sandhill Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $19

Silver Vines Winery NV Red, Columbia Valley, $30

Sinclair Estate Vineyards 2011 Vixen, Wahluke Slope, $30

Spangler Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Franc, Southern Oregon, $26

Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard 2012 Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, $28

Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard 2011 Renaissance Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, $40

Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard 2012 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, $25

Tesoaria Vineyard & Winery 2012 Baco Noir, Southern Oregon, $35

Tesoaria Vineyard & Winery 2013 Red blend, Southern Oregon, $30

Tesoaria Vineyard & Winery 2013 Sangiovese, Southern Oregon, $42

Tesoaria Vineyard & Winery 2013 Zinfandel, Southern Oregon, $42

Tesoaria Vineyard & Winery 2014 White wine, Southern Oregon, $27

Tesoaria Vineyard & Winery 2012 Italian blend, Southern Oregon, $45

Tesoaria Vineyard & Winery NV Syrah blend, Southern Oregon, $35

Zerba Cellars 2012 Barbera, Walla Walla Valley, $36

Bronze

Bench 1775 2013 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, $26

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2012 Athene, Okanagan Valley, $38

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, $33

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, $25

Calona Vineyards 2013 Artist Series Unoaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, $13

Jentsch Cellars 2013 Syrah, British Columbia, $24

Claar Cellars 2010 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $22

Colter’s Creek Winery 2013 Chardonnay, Idaho, $15

Cougar Crest Estate Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $45

Eagle Harbor Wine Co. 2012 Founders Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $40

Eagle Harbor Wine Co. 2013 Viognier, Walla Walla Valley, $27

Firesteed Cellars 2011 Riesling, Oregon, $13

Firesteed Cellars 2012 Pinot Noir, Oregon, $17

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Meritage, British Columbia, $23

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Pinot Noir, British Columbia, $25

Girardet Vineyards & Winery 2013 Baco Noir, Umpqua Valley, $30

Girardet Vineyards & Winery 2012 Syrah, Umpqua Valley, $38

Hudson Shah 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $14

Hyatt Vineyards 2012 Syrah, Rattlesnake Hills, $13

JoieFarm 2013 Riesling, Okanagan Valley, $23

JoieFarm 2014 Think Pink Rosé, Okanagan Valley, $21

Karma Vineyards 2011 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $27

Malaga Springs Winery 2014 Chenin Blanc, Washington State, $16

Mullan Road Cellars 2012 Red, Columbia Valley, $45

Noble Ridge Vineyards 2013 Pinot Grigio, Okanagan Valley, $20

Noble Ridge Vineyards 2012 Reserve Meritage, Okanagan Valley, $30

Pacific Rim Winemakers 2013 Solstice Vineyard Riesling, Yakima Valley, $24

Peller Estates 2013 Family Series Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, $13

Rainstorm 2013 Pinot Noir, Oregon, $17

Rainstorm 2014 Silver Linings Pinot Noir Rose, Oregon, $17

Red Rooster Winery 2013 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, $17

Red Rooster Winery 2014 Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $18

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2013 Cot et Merlau, Umpqua Valley, $24

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2013 Gloria’s Syrah, Umpqua Valley, $42

Roza Ridge 2011 Malbec, Rattlesnake Hills, $20

Roza Ridge 2010 Roadside Red, Rattlesnake Hills, $20

San Juan Vineyards 2014 Madeleine Angevine, Puget Sound, $18

Spangler Vineyards 2012 Zinfandel, Alexander Valley, $28

Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard 2012 Heritage Block Meritage, Okanagan Valley, $25

Telaya Wine Co. 2012 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $30

Tesoaria Vineyard & Winery 2012 Dolcetto, Southern Oregon, $30

Tesoaria Vineyard & Winery 2012 Syrah, Southern Oregon, $35

Tesoaria Vineyard & Winery 2012 Zinfandel, Southern Oregon, $45

TIME Estate Winery 2012 Meritage, Okanagan Valley, $18

Wayne Gretzky Estate Winery 2013 No. 99 Cabernet Sauvignon, British Columbia, $18

Wayne Gretzky Estate Winery 2013 No. 99 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, $16

Wayne Gretzky Estate Winery 2014 No. 99 Pinot Grigio, Okanagan Valley, $16