Three generations of the Gunkel family have raised crops near the Maryhill Museum of Art, and their grape vines at the eastern edge of the Columbia Gorge near the Columbia River have led to acclaim for a number of Northwest winemakers. Rich Cushman’s work with Barbera from the 2018 vintage ranks among the most decorated wines in the past two years. In 2021, this bottling won a gold at the Cascadia International and a Platinum Award from Great Northwest Wine magazine. This spring, the same wine was awarded best of class on its path to Best Red Wine at the Cascadia. It’s a delicious version of the Northern Italian variety with aromas of spice, blackberry and vanilla and flavors of blackberry, blueberry and dark cherry that finish with silky tannins. The Bickford family at Mt. Hood Winery serves it with Spaghetti Bolognese, pizza and Chicken Marsala.
Rating: Outstanding! – 95 points
Production: 228 cases
Alcohol 14.4%
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