Wahluke Slope forms backbone of Washington wine industry

Desert Wind Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $18

The Fries family of Duck Pond Cellars fame in Oregon, also owns Desert Wind Winery in the Yakima Valley town of Prosser. While the listed American Viticultural Area is defined as “Washington,” the fine print reveals the grapes came from the Wahluke Slope, where the family also grows grapes. The result is an elegant drink that shows off aromas and flavors of blackberry, black currant and a hint of nutmeg and cardamom. This earned a gold medal at the 2016 Cascadia Wine Competition.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 2,703 cases

Alcohol: 14.5%

Winery website