Washington winemakers have long regarded the arid and remote Wahluke Slope as a stable and important part of their arsenal. The Wahluke Slope is an 81,000-acre region surrounded on three sides by the Columbia River. Annually, it can be counted on as one of the warmest agricultural areas in Washington. Today, about 9,000 acres of wine grapes are grown on the Wahluke … [Read more...] about Wahluke Slope is backbone of Washington wine industry
Featured wines
Riesling a favorite across Pacific Northwest
Thanks to a handful of large producers, Washington state is undoubtedly the king of West Coast Riesling. But that doesn't mean the rest of the Great Northwest hasn't gotten into the Riesling act. In fact, small amounts of the noble white wine are made in Oregon's Willamette Valley, British Columbia's Okanagan Valley and Idaho's Snake River Valley. Today is the start of … [Read more...] about Riesling a favorite across Pacific Northwest
Rise of Washington Malbec
One of the most exciting developments in Washington wine country is the rise of Malbec. The minor Bordeaux variety - long relegated to a blending role both in the Old and New worlds - has come on strong the past decade and, in particular, the last five years. Today, it's not difficult to find dozens upon dozens of examples of Washington Malbec bottlings, with a handful of … [Read more...] about Rise of Washington Malbec
Only the best
One of the joys of judging wines under blind conditions is the discovery of truly delicious and superb bottlings. Often, the process of tasting blind confirms what we already think about a wine. Then realizing the greatness of a wine you know little about is gleeful. We've tasted blind for nearly two decades. We know neither the producer nor the price of a wine until … [Read more...] about Only the best
Sauvignon Blanc a perfect Northwest summer white
Often overlooked, Sauvignon Blanc from the Pacific Northwest is a perfect summer wine. It's usually crisp, refreshing and perfect pairing with fresh Northwest cuisine. Sauvignon Blanc from this corner of the wine world usually is not like what one might find from New Zealand or even California. We often perceive notes of melon, fresh herbs, lime and orchard fruit. Our … [Read more...] about Sauvignon Blanc a perfect Northwest summer white