Summer is upon us, so we asked 11 of our favorite Northwest wine experts to provide lists of some of their favorite summer sippers.
These leaders come from various backgrounds, including restaurants, retail shops, journalism, hotels and education. We’ve worked with many of them throughout the years on stories we’ve written or in wine competitions we have conducted.
Jean Yates
Jean Yates is a longtime Northwest wine merchant. She owned and operated Avalon wine shop in Corvallis, Ore., for 25 years, turning it into one of the region’s top online wine retailers. She now owns Oregon Wine Marketing and is considered one of the experts on Oregon Pinot Noir.
- Eyrie Vineyards 2000 Marguerite Pinot Noir
- Arterberry Maresh 2012 Maresh Vineyard Chardonnay
- Ebony 2011 Olenik Vineyard Pinot Noir
- Rasa 2012 Living in the Limelight Petit Verdot
- Sheridan Vineyard 2010 Singularity Syrah
- Soter Vineyards 2011 Mineral Springs Brut Rosé, Yamhill Carlton
- Spindrift Cellars 2012 Reserve Pinot Noir
- EIEIO 2009 Blackburn Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir
- Powell Hill 2014 Martha’s White
- Chapter 24 2012 Double Zero Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir
Big John Caudill
Big John Caudill has been on the Northwest wine scene for decades. He grew up in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley and worked in a Seattle wine shop while earning a degree at South Seattle Community College’s culinary program. He then moved to the Yakima Valley, where he has worked as a chef and a wine sales and marketing manager. He is a regular wine judge in the Pacific Northwest.
- Haden Fig 2014 Rosé of Pinot Gris
- Syncline 2014 Boushey Vineyard Picpoul
- Palencia 2014 Albariño, Ancient Lakes
- Maison Bleue 2014 Lisette Rosé
- Upland Estates 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
- Two Vintners 2014 Grenache Blanc
- Kevin White 2013 La Fraternite
- Cor 2014 Old Hwy 8 White Blend
- Newhouse 2013 Cottontop Upland Vineyard Aligote
- Gramercy Cellars 2014 Olsen Vineyard Rosé
Ken Robertson
Ken Robertson is a retired newspaperman who spent his career in his native Montana and Washington. He began writing about Northwest wine in the 1970s and has been a columnist for Wine Press Northwest magazine since its inception in 1998. He is a member of the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel and a frequent wine judge throughout the Pacific Northwest.
- Vino La Monarcha 2014 Pinot Noir Rosé
- Barnard Griffin 2014 Rosé of Sangiovese
- Martinez & Martinez 2014 May Mae Rosé of Cabernet
- Michelle Brut NV and Brut Rosé
- L’Ecole No. 41 2012 Semillon
- Coyote Canyon 2014 Albariño
- Five Star Cellars 2009 Stellar Red
- Jones of Washington 2014 Sauvignon Blanc
- Walla Walla Vintners 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cafe Metropole NV Blanc de Blanc
Ilene Dudunake
Ilene Dudunake owns A New Vintage Wine Shop in Meridian, Idaho, and is a leading expert on Idaho wines. She regularly judges wine competitions in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
- Adelsheim Rosé
- Sawtooth Fly Series Merlot
- Telaya Chardonnay
- A to Z Rosé
- Coiled Dry Riesling
- Huston Chicken Dinner Red
- Kamiak Red
- Michelle Brut Rosé
- Koenig Winery Viognier
- Hat Ranch Dry Moscato
Jan McCartan
Jan McCartan is the catering and wine director at the Hood River Inn in Hood River, Ore. She grew up on the East Coast and moved to the Columbia Gorge, previously working at Timberline Lodge.
- Anne Amie 2014 Cuvee A-Midnight Saignee Rosé of Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton
- Phelps Creek 2012 Estate Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge
- Maryhill 2011 Syrah, Columbia Valley
- Charles Smith 2014 Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
- Waters Winery 2014 Olsen Vineyard Rosé of Syrah, Yakima Valley
- Purple Hands 2012 Stoller Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills
- Viento 2012 Savvy Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Gorge
- Saviah Cellars 2013 Star Meadow Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, Washington
- Sleight of Hand Cellars 2013 The Magician Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
- Woodward Canyon Winery 2011 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
- Dunham Cellars 2011 XXVII Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
- Ponzi 2012 Aurora Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountain
Mark Takagi
Mark Takagi is the specialty sales director of Seattle-based Metropolitan Market group and is a judge at the Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition.
- L’Ecole No. 41 Semillon
- Henry Earl Riesling
- Colene Clemens Pinot Noir Margo
- Michelle Rosé
- Long Shadows Vintners Julia’s Dazzle Rosé
- Rôtie Cellars Southern White
- Owen Roe Yakima Red
- Seven Falls Cabernet
- Canoe Ridge Reserve Chardonnay
- Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red
Ellen Landis
Ellen Landis is one of the top wine judges in California. She and her husband, Ken, have operated Landis Shores, a luxury B&B in Half Moon Bay, Calif. Through her frequent judgings, she has become an admirer of Pacific Northwest wines, so now, she and Ken are looking to purchase a home in the Portland/Vancouver region.
- Stoller Family Estate 2013 Reserve Chardonnay
- Colene Clemens Vineyards 2011 Adriane Pinot Noir
- Ponzi Vineyards 2014 Pinot Noir Rosé
- Chehalem Wines 2013 Gruner Veltliner
- Chateau Ste. Michelle 2013 Eroica Riesling
- Ken Wright Cellars 2013 Canary Hill Vineyards Pinot Noir
- Woodward Canyon Winery 2002 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon
- Archery Summit 2012 Arcus Estate Pinot Noir
- Sperling Vineyards 2010 Brut Reserve
- Ayoub 2013 Estate Pinot Noir
Tim O’Brien
Tim O’Brien is corporate director of beverage at Salty’s Restaurants in Seattle. He has judged the Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition and other judgings throughout the Pacific Northwest.
- Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Gris
- Cadaretta SBS
- Treveri Cellars Sparkling Gewürztraminer
- Thurston Wolfe PGV
- Northwest Wine Academy Lemberger
- Forgeron Cellars Primitivo
- Tranche Slice of Papé blanc
- Palencia Rose of Pinot Noir
- Wilridge Nebbiolo
- Seven Hills Winery Rosé
Lane Hoss
Lane Hoss is vice president of marketing for Anthony’s Restaurants and makes many of the wine selections for the Northwest-based restaurant chain.
- Thurston Wolfe 2014 Albarino, Yakima Valley
- Cadaretta 2013 SBS, Columbia Valley
- Woodward Canyon Winery 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Walla Walla Valley
- Sparkman Cellars 2012 Lumiere Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
- Eroica 2013 Riesling, Columbia Valley
- Barnard Griffin 2014 Rosé of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley
- Tranche Cellars 2014 Pink Papé, Yakima Valley
- L’Ecole No. 41 2014 Grenache Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills
- Owen Roe Sharecroppers 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
- Betz Family Winery 2012 Besoleil, Columbia Valley
Don Elsing
Don Elsing is the wine director at Sun Mountain Lodge near Winthrop, Wash. The lodge’s wine cellar contains one of the most extensive selections in the Pacific Northwest. He has judged the Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition and the North Central Washington Wine Awards.
- Fielding Hills 2011 River Bend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
- Karma Vineyards 2011 Methode Champenoise Pink Bubbly
- Benson Estate Vineyards 2010 Estate Sangiovese
- Hightower Cellars 2014 Murray Rosé
- Upchurch Vineyard 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
- DeLille Cellars 2014 Chaleur Estate Blanc
- Sleight of Hand Cellars 2013 Syrah The Psychedelic
- Chateau Faire le Pont 2012 Pinot Gris
- Hedges Family Estate 2012 Syrah Red Mountain
- Gorman Winery 2011 The Evil Twin
- Sparkman Cellars 2013 Preposterous Malbec
- C.R. Sandidge 2012 Triumph Red Blend
Steven Sinkler
Steven Sinkler owns and operates The Wine Shack in Cannon Beach, Ore., which includes Puffin Brand wines.
- Puffin Brand Rosé
- Ghost Hill Cellars Pinot Noir Blanc
- Bergevin Lane Linen Sauvignon Blanc
- Penner-Ash Rubeo Red
- Pudding River Wine Cellars Chardonnay
- Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards Gruner Veltliner
- Alexandria Nicole Cellars Shepherd’s Mark
- Zerba Cellars Barbera
- Chateau Ste. Michelle Eroica Riesling
- Abacela Albariño
- Trinity Vineyards Pinot Noir
- Angel Vine Zinfandel
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