Washington's Yakima Valley not only is the Pacific Northwest's oldest wine region, but it's also among its most diverse. Grape growing and winemaking has been going on here since before Prohibition, and Washington's oldest vines still used in wine production are here in the valley, planted in 1917. The Yakima Valley was the Northwest's first approved American Viticultural … [Read more...] about History runs deep in soils of Yakima Valley wine country
Featured wines
Washington Merlot a suave, supple red
Though in recent years it has come to play second fiddle to Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington Merlot remains among the state's most important wines. As recently as 2004, Merlot was Washington's No. 1 red wine grape. Since then, the Cab craze has left its mark, with Merlot production now at 10,000 fewer tons per year than Cabernet Sauvignon. But this does not mean Merlot is … [Read more...] about Washington Merlot a suave, supple red
Tip a glass of pink to celebrate International Rosé Day
As if we needed another excuse to pop the cork on a bottle of crisp, refreshing Northwest rosé, today is International Rosé Day. The Pacific Northwest has become a serious player in producing dry rosés, with winemakers experimenting with a number of varieties, including Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The best rosés are those that are dry to just … [Read more...] about Tip a glass of pink to celebrate International Rosé Day
Red Mountain rises for world-class grapes, wines
It's rarely red, and it's not a mountain. But Brown Ridge sounds way less sexy than Red Mountain. The 4,040-acre bench in the eastern Yakima Valley near Richland, Wash., is considered the prime region for growing red wine grapes in Washington wine country. The first grapes were planted here in 1975, when Kiona Vineyards arrived. Federal recognition came in 2001 when the Red … [Read more...] about Red Mountain rises for world-class grapes, wines
Walla Walla Valley known for great vines, wines
Thanks to a long history of great winemaking and grape growing, the Walla Walla Valley is perhaps the best-known wine region in the Pacific Northwest. Success in the '70s and '80s by such producers as Leonetti Cellar, Woodward Canyon, L'Ecole No. 41, Waterbrook and Seven Hills Winery put the Walla Walla Valley on the wine map, and the wineries that came into the valley since … [Read more...] about Walla Walla Valley known for great vines, wines