One of the more fascinating projects is the Pacific Northwest is led by the husband/wife team of Gavin and Shana Miller — an estate winery and creamery on the Naramata Bench in British Columbia. Gavin’s winemaking near Okanagan Lake led to the Best Riesling of the 2024 Cascadia International, a product of estate vines that benefited from the 2022 "Hail Mary" vintage - an … [Read more...] about Upper Bench Estate Winery 2022 Riesling, Naramata Bench $26
Outstanding
Aquilini Wines 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Red Mountain, $30
When the Aquilini family launched its wine program, they brought on famed Napa winemaker Philippe Melka as a consultant. He’s one of the few cult producers of Sauvignon Blanc in the U.S., and the white Bordeaux also has a storied past on Red Mountain, so it makes sense that Aquilini has quickly developed a remarkable program. This spent six months in neutral French barriques, … [Read more...] about Aquilini Wines 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Red Mountain, $30
Fortuity Cellars 2022 Grenache, Yakima Valley $45
Co-owner/winemaker Lee Fergestrom’s commitment to Yakima Valley vineyards continues with this well-textured Grenache from esteemed Elephant Mountain Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills above Fortuity Cellars. Investment in seasoned French oak puncheons allows the fruit from Joe Hattrup’s vines to shine as chalky strawberry and raspberry sauce nose join white pepper and lilac … [Read more...] about Fortuity Cellars 2022 Grenache, Yakima Valley $45
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2018 Rhett’s Red Reserve. Columbia Valley $46
Longtime consulting winemaker Michael Sebastiani helps Cathedral Ridge owner Robb Bell to pay a delicious tribute to his faithful hunting dog with this Barbera-based blend. This Hood River producer has been producing some of the Northwest’s best stand-alone examples of Barbera — whether it be from Bolton Vineyard in the Gorge or McKinley Springs in the Horse Heaven Hills — so … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2018 Rhett’s Red Reserve. Columbia Valley $46
King Estate Winery 2022 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $30
Last fall, the 2021 vintage of winemaker/co-CEO Brent Stone’s flagship Pinot Noir for the King family picked up a Double Platinum. Despite the “heart-stopping frost” of April 15 the following vintage, the 2022 seems poised to earn another Platinum — which would be the 11th time for King Estate to receive a Platinum during Great Northwest Wine’s year-end smackdown of gold-medal … [Read more...] about King Estate Winery 2022 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $30