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Cashmere winery Crayelle tops Wenatchee wine judging

By on August 18, 2017
North Central Washington wine

Barb Robertson, a Wenatchee-area wine professional, evaluates wines during the Wenatchee Wine & Food Festival Competition. (Photo by Andy Perdue/Great Northwest Wine)

WENATCHEE – A small winery in Cashmere took home top honors at the seventh annual Wenatchee Wine & Food Festival competition.

Crayelle Cellars, owned and operated by longtime Washington winemaker Craig Mitrakul, took home top honors for his 2016 Albariño, a white Spanish variety that is gaining momentum with Washington winemakers. The Cornell and Rutgers grad has made wine for such wineries as St. Laurent, Ryan Patrick and Karma Vineyards before launching Crayelle in 2009. He also spent time with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Three Rivers Winery in Walla Walla before moving to North Central Washington.

The medals for this year’s competition will be presented Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee. Many of the medal-winning wines will be poured at the festival.

The festival and competition are put on by Foothills magazine, which is owned and operated by the Wenatchee World newspaper.

The competition is conducted by Great Northwest Wine, an award-winning media company based in Richland, Wash. Judges for this year’s competition included:

  • Ellen Landis, certified sommelier and wine educator, Vancouver, Wash.
  • Richard Larsen, research winemaker/enologist, Washington State University, Richland, Wash.
  • Ken Robertson, columnist for Wine Press Northwest magazine, Kennewick, Wash.
  • Sara Wilson, certified sommelier/wine buyer for Mystic Café, Lewiston, Idaho
  • Barb Robertson, wine reviewer for Foothills magazine, Leavenworth, Wash.
  • Daniel Carr, owner of Cured by Visconti’s and Visconti’s restaurants in Wenatchee and Leavenworth
  • Amberleigh Brownson, restaurant consultant, Blaine, Wash.
  • Rick Steigmeyer, wine columnist, Wenatchee World
  • Gregg McConnell, editor of Wine Press Northwest magazine, Kennewick, Wash.

Here are the official results of the judging:

Best of show

Crayelle Cellars 2016 Albariño, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $23

Best red wine

Plain Cellars 2014 Eclipse Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $35

Best of class

Rio Vista Wines 2015 Pinot Noir, Columbia Valley, $42
Jones of Washington 2016 Rosé of Syrah, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $14
Eagle Creek Winery 2014 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $23
Rio Vista Wines 2016 Sunset on the River, Columbia Valley, $22
Beaumont Cellars 2015 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
Bergdorf Cellars 2012 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $32

Double Gold and best of class

Succession Wines 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $39
Chris Daniel Winery 2014 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $28
Milbrandt Vineyards 2014 Ravenscliff Vineyard Single Vineyard Series Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $42
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2013 Estate Reserve Carménère, Wahluke Slope, $38
Baroness Cellars NV Miscela Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $32
Martin-Scott Winery 2016 Needlerock Vineyard Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $14
Siren Song Vineyard Estate and Winery 2014 Cézanne Sauvignon Blanc, Washington, $25
Jones of Washington 2015 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $17
Tunnel Hill Winery 2015 Estate Pinot Noir, Lake Chelan, $25
Cave B Estate Winery 2016 Cave B Vineyards Viognier, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $25
Cave B Estate Winery 2016 Cavewoman White Wine, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $14
Succession Wines 2016 Evolution White Wine, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $24
Martin-Scott Winery 2014 Raven Ridge Red, Columbia Valley, $28
Tunnel Hill Winery NV Setenta Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $33

Gold and best of class

Succession Wines 2016 Chardonnay, Lake Chelan, $24
Tunnel Hill Winery 2015 Estate Malbec, Lake Chelan, $30
Stemilt Creek Winery 2014 Ascent Merlot, Columbia Valley, $42
Rio Vista Wines 2015 Tempranillo, Columbia Valley, $34
Ryan Patrick Wines 2016 Olsen Brothers Vineyard Riesling, Yakima Valley, $12
Rio Vista Wines 2016 Antoine Creek Vineyards Viognier, Columbia Valley, $30
Malaga Springs Winery 2015 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $26
Stemilt Creek Winery 2014 Transforming Traditions Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $32
Succession Wines 2015 Famiglia Vineyards Cabernet Franc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $39
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $24
Goose Ridge Estate Winery 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $38
Plain Cellars 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $35
Plain Cellars 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $35
Eagle Creek Winery 2015 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $22
Horan Estates Winery 2015 Bottoms Up Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $22
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2008 Estate Sun in a Bottle Port-style, Wahluke Slope, $35
Horan Estates Winery 2014 Musicians Malbec, Columbia Valley, $26
Malaga Springs Winery 2015 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $24
Lost River Winery 2014 Barbera, Horse Heaven Hills, $27
Baroness Cellars 2013 Dolcetto, Yakima Valley, $30
Cave B Estate Winery 2014 Tempranillo, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $33
Malaga Springs Winery 2016 Blanc de Noir, Columbia Valley, $17
Cave B Estate Winery 2016 Cave B Vineyards Chenin Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $22
Milbrandt Vineyards 2016 Evergreen Vineyard Traditions Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $13
Succession Wines 2016 Antoine Creek Vineyards Rosé, Columbia Valley, $24
Ryan Patrick Wines 2016 Rosé Wine, Columbia Valley, $15
Silvara Vineyards 2016 Rosé, Washington, $22
Horan Estates Winery 2014 CWM Syrah, Columbia Valley, $26
Milbrandt Vineyards 2014 Katherine Leone Vineyard Single Vineyard Series Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $42
Tunnel Hill Winery 2015 Estate Syrah, Lake Chelan, $30
Succession Wines 2016 Viognier, Columbia Valley, $26
Martin Scott Winery 2016 Peddler’s White, Columbia Valley, $14
Rio Vista Wines 2016 Wacky White, Columbia Valley, $22
Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2014 S&M Syrah • Malbec, Lake Chelan, $38
Siren Song Vineyard Estate and Winery 2014 Jolie, Wahluke Slope, $36
Ryan Patrick Wines 2015 Rock Island Red, Columbia Valley, $20
Bergdorf Cellars 2013 Double Cabernet, Columbia Valley, $40
Chris Daniel Winery 2014 Petite Sirah/Syrah, Columbia Valley, $25

Silver

Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2015 Good in Bed Sparkling Wine, Lake Chelan, $56
Beaumont Cellars 2015 Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope, $32
Errant Cellars 2014 Cabernet Franc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $24
Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2014 Burning Desire Estate Cabernet Franc, Lake Chelan, $45
Jones of Washington 2013 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $17
Plain Cellars 2014 Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley, $30
WineGirl Wines 2015 Reserve Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $90
Cave B Estate Winery 2012 Cave B Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $35
Eagle Creek Winery 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $35
Horan Estates Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $26
Jones of Washington 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $15
Jones of Washington 2012 Jack’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $30
Malaga Springs Winery 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $100
Martin-Scott Winery 2013 Shaw Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $32
Ryan Patrick Wines 2014 Elephant Mountain Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Hills, $45
Silvara Vineyards 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington, $32
Stemilt Creek Winery 2014 Ascent Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $48
Villa Monaco Winery 2014 Corner Store Cab, Walla Walla Valley, $26
Cave B Estate Winery 2016 Cave B Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $22
Ryan Patrick Wines 2015 Naked Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $12
Milbrandt Vineyards 2015 Evergreen Vineyard The Estates Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $22
Ryan Patrick Wines 2015 Rock Island Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $20
Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2015 Chardonnay, Lake Chelan, $25
Napeequa Vintners 2015 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $32
Plain Cellars 2015 Chardonnay, Snipes Mountain, $26
Silvara Vineyards 2016 Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $22
Ryan Patrick Wines 2015 French Creek Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $35
Milbrandt Vineyards 2015 Evergreen Vineyard Sweet Katherine Traditions White Wine, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $13
Cave B Estate Winery 2014 Cave B Vineyards Malbec, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $38
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2013 Estate Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $24
Jones of Washington 2013 Estate Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $30
Martin-Scott Winery 2012 Shaw Vineyard Malbec, Red Mountain, $32
Rio Vista Wines 2015 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $36
Succession Wines 2015 Antoine Creek Vineyards Malbec, Columbia Valley, $34
Goose Ridge Vineyards 2012 Estate Merlot, Columbia Valley, $32
Jones of Washington 2012 Estate Merlot, Wahluke Slope, $15
Lost River Winery 2013 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $26
Snowgrass Winery 2015 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Menagerie Merlot, Red Mountain, $27
Stemilt Creek Winery 2014 Caring Passion Merlot, Columbia Valley, $17
Wedge Mountain Winery 2015 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $28
Beaumont Cellars 2015 Reserve Mourvèdre, Wahluke Slope, $39
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2010 Estate Reserve Mourvèdre, Wahluke Slope, $38
Snowgrass Winery 2014 Heart of the Hill Vineyard Rapscallion Mourvèdre, Red Mountain, $32
Baroness Cellars 2013 Carménère, Yakima Valley, $35
Chateau Faire Le Pont Winery 2013 Carménère, Yakima Valley, $43
Jones of Washington 2013 Estate Carménère, Wahluke Slope, $30
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2013 Estate Barbera, Wahluke Slope, $24
Martin-Scott Winery 2014 Needlerock Vineyard Montepulciano, Columbia Valley, $31
Baroness Cellars 2013 Nebbiolo, Columbia Valley, $28
Cave B Estate Winery 2014 Cave B Vineyards Sangiovese, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $33
Errant Cellars 2014 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $23
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2013 Estate Sangiovese, Wahluke Slope, $24
Jones of Washington 2012 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $15
Crayelle Cellars NV Tempranillo, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $27
Beaumont Cellars 2016 Tempranillo, Wahluke Slope, $32
Beaumont Cellars 2015 Zinfandel, Wahluke Slope, $32
Malaga Springs Winery 2015 Zinfandel, Columbia Valley, $22
Plain Cellars 2014 Petite Sirah, Yakima Valley, $35
Beaumont Cellars 2015 Reserve Petit Verdot, Wahluke Slope, $39
Siren Song Vineyard Estate and Winery 2014 Siren’s Reserve Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, $48
Cave B Estate Winery 2016 Roussanne, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $25
Eagle Creek Winery 2015 Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $19
Jones of Washington 2015 Pinot Gris, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $14
Eagle Creek Winery 2015 Pinot Grigio, Columbia Valley, $20
Napeequa Vintners 2016 Davey Outrageous Presents ¡Chica! Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $19
Crayelle Cellars 2016 Neve’s Blanc Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $21
Cave B Estate Winery 2016 Cave B Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $25
Malaga Springs Winery 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, Washington, $16
Succession Wines 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $26
Malaga Springs Winery 2016 Muscat Canelli, Columbia Valley, $17
WineGirl Wines 2016 Reserve Gewürztraminer, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $18
WineGirl Wines 2016 Gewürztraminer, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $18
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2013 Estate Pinot Noir, Wahluke Slope, $25
Succession Wines 2015 Pinot Noir, Columbia Valley, $39
Leony’s Cellars 2016 Honeymoon Riesling, Naches Heights, $22
Tunnel Hill Winery 2016 Estate Riesling, Lake Chelan, $17
Rio Vista Wines 2016 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $27
Jones of Washington 2015 Estate Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $10
Cave B Estate Winery 2016 Cave B Vineyards Dry Rosé, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $18
Stemilt Creek Winery NV Marie Antoinette Sherwood Nettie Rosé, Columbia Valley
Milbrandt Vineyards 2016 Rosé, Columbia Valley, $13
Goose Ridge Vineyards 2016 Rosé, Columbia Valley, $20
Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2016 Shameless Hussy Rosé, Columbia Valley, $22
Stemilt Creek Winery 2016 Ascent Rosé, Columbia Valley
Horan Estates Winery 2012 Reserve Syrah, Columbia Valley, $34
Jones of Washington 2013 Estate Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $17
Cave B Estate Winery 2014 Cave B Vineyards Syrah, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $30
Chris Daniel Winery 2014 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $32
Errant Cellars 2014 Syrah, Horse Heaven Hills, $24
Stemilt Creek Winery 2014 Ascent Syrah, Columbia Valley, $45
Ryan Patrick Wines 2014 Red Heaven Vineyard Reserve Syrah, Red Mountain, $35
Beaumont Cellars 2015 Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $32
Malaga Springs Winery 2015 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $24
Beaumont Cellars 2015 Reserve Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $39
Horan Estates Winery 2015 Viognier, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $22
Leony’s Cellars 2016 Alluring Whisper Viognier, Columbia Valley, $22
Tunnel Hill Winery 2016 Estate Viognier, Lake Chelan, $19
Jones of Washington 2015 Estate Viognier, Wahluke Slope, $17
Tunnel Hill Winery 2016 Camino White Wine, Columbia Valley, $17
Errant Cellars 2015 Wanderer’s White, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $18
CE Vineyards 2014 Chardonnay/Roussanne/Viognier, Columbia Valley, $20
Eagle Creek Winery 2015 Alder Weiss White Wine Blend, Columbia Valley, $23
Beaumont Cellars 2016 Pete’s Crushpad Blend White Wine, Columbia Valley, $21
Jones of Washington 2016 Pybus Market White Wine, Columbia Valley, $17
Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2015 Rumours 66% Roussanne 34% Marsanne, Lake Chelan, $25
Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2016 Nauti Buoy White Wine, Lake Chelan, $22
Succession Wines 2016 Vixen White Wine, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $28
Eagle Creek Winery 2014 D. LoVarco Super Tuscan Blend, Columbia Valley, $35
Stemilt Creek Winery 2014 Kyle’s Fair Market Red Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $15
Rio Vista Wines 2015 River View Red Grand Reserve Blend, Columbia Valley, $38
Tunnel Hill Winery NV Sacrilege, Lake Chelan, $25
Cave B Estate Winery 2014 Caveman Red Wine, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $19
Chateau Faire Le Pont Winery 2013 Provence, Washington, $40
Napeequa Vintners 2014 SLR Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $39
Stemilt Creek Winery 2014 Estate Boss Lady Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $24
Errant Cellars 2014 8/05 Red, Columbia Valley, $25
Succession Wines 2015 Bridge Builder’s Blend, Columbia Valley, $34
Villa Monaco Winery 2014 Ruthie’s Reserve, Washington, $26
Crayelle Cellars 2015 Gabriel’s Horn, Columbia Valley, $27
Cave B Estate Winery 2013 Cave B Vineyards Cuvée Du Soleil, Columbia Valley, $50
Chateau Faire Le Pont Winery 2013 Confluence, Washington, $48
Chateau Faire Le Pont Winery 2013 Tre Amori Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $40
Jones of Washington 2012 Estate Vineyards Barrel Select Red Wine, Wahluke Slope, $30
Napeequa Vintners NV Davey Outrageous Presents … Grill Thrill Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $24
Ryan Patrick Wines 2015 Redhead Red Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $15
Wedge Mountain Winery 2015 Les Chevaux Magnifiques Red Wine Blend, Columbia Valley, $36
Villa Monaco Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon – Merlot, Columbia Valley, $26
WineGirl Wines 2014 Red Wine Blend, Columbia Valley, $38
Eagle Creek Winery 2014 Montage, Columbia Valley, $25
Errant Cellars 2014 Henry’s Red, Columbia Valley, $23
Horan Estates Winery 2014 HVH Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $26

Bronze

Bergdorf Cellars 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $32
Chris Daniel Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $35
Errant Cellars 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $23
Rio Vista Wines 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $32
Stemilt Creek Winery 2014 A Day’s Work Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $26
Jones of Washington 2015 Chardonnay, Wahluke Slope, $14
Lost River Winery 2015 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $18
WineGirl Wines 2014 Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $22
WineGirl Wines 2015 Reserve Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $22
Jones of Washington 2016 Late Harvest Viognier, Wahluke Slope, $20
WineGirl Wines 2016 Tinta Roriz, Naches Heights, $58
Errant Cellars 2014 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $24
Rio Vista Wines 2015 Estate Merlot, Columbia Valley, $32
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2013 Carménère, Wahluke Slope, $30
Cave B Estate Winery 2014 Cave B Vineyards Barbera, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $35
Malaga Springs Winery 2015 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $24
MVP Vintners 2013 Vino Secreto Tempranillo, Wahluke Slope, $55
Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2014 Primitivo, Wahluke Slope, $49
Chelan Estate Winery 2011 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Lake Chelan, $25
Stemilt Creek Winery NV Sweet Adelaide Riesling, Columbia Valley, $13
Chris Daniel Winery 2015 Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $19
Tunnel Hill Winery 2016 Estate Pinot Noir Rosé, Lake Chelan, $20
Napeequa Vintners 2016 Davey Outrageous Presents Pinkie a*go*go , Columbia Valley, $21
WineGirl Wines 2016 Syrah Rosé, Lake Chelan, $22
MVP Vintners 2015 Gypsy Rosé, Columbia Valley, $35
Goose Ridge Vineyards 2015 GRV White Blend, Columbia Valley, $25
Errant Cellars 2014 Raven’s Red, Columbia Valley, $23
Eagle Creek Winery 2009 Tre die Cinque Three Outta Five, Rattlesnake Hills, $66
MVP Vintners 2014 Vino Secreto Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $50

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About Andy Perdue

Andy Perdue is the editor and publisher of Great Northwest Wine. He is a third-generation journalist who has worked at newspapers since the mid-1980s and has been writing about wine since 1998. He co-founded Wine Press Northwest magazine with Eric Degerman and served as its editor-in-chief for 15 years. He is a frequent judge at international wine competitions. He is the author of "The Northwest Wine Guide: A Buyer's Handbook" (Sasquatch, 2003) and has contributed to four other books. He writes about wine for The Seattle Times. You can find him on Twitter and .

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