During the past four decades, the Walla Walla Valley has a well earned reputation as a top producer of red wines. It's a curious development because the region isn't particularly well-suited for growing red wine grapes. In fact, it isn't much warmer than the Yakima Valley, which is well known for growing white wine grapes. And because of the Blue Mountains, more rain falls … [Read more...] about Walla Walla Valley continues to build its reputation with red wine
Featured wines
Merlot, straight up delicious
It's been 13 years since the movie Sideways told filmgoers to not drink Merlot. It's time to get over it. Merlot, especially in the Pacific Northwest, is delicious, one of the best and most prolific red wines we make. The numbers bear out the fact that Washington grape growers and winemakers didn't pay much attention to Sideways. In 2003, the year before Sideways, Washington … [Read more...] about Merlot, straight up delicious
Chardonnay popular on both sides of Columbia River
Chardonnay is by far the most popular wine in America, and in the Pacific Northwest, it also has strong support. In Washington, it is the No. 1 white wine grape, keeping ahead of Riesling but lagging behind Cabernet Sauvignon. Across the Columbia River in Oregon, it is the No. 2 white grape behind Pinot Gris and far behind Pinot Noir, the state's signature wine. Chateau … [Read more...] about Chardonnay popular on both sides of Columbia River
Wahluke Slope a remote region popular with winemakers
The Wahluke Slope is a dusty, often forgotten corner of Washington wine country. In reality, it is the backbone of the Washington wine industry, thanks to its consistently warm temperatures and ability to ripen grapes. Established as a federally approved American Viticultural Area in 2005, the region is a 13-mile-wide gravel bar formed by the Ice Age floods some 12,000 years … [Read more...] about Wahluke Slope a remote region popular with winemakers
Washington Riesling not just a Ste. Michelle thing
When most folks hear "Riesling" and "Washington" in the same sentence, they might automatically insert "Chateau Ste. Michelle." And there would be nothing wrong with that, seeing that Washington's oldest and largest winery makes more Riesling than any winery on the planet. Since introducing the 1999 inaugural vintage of Eroica, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates has become the … [Read more...] about Washington Riesling not just a Ste. Michelle thing