Adventures in Wine > Washington
Washington
Although a relatively young wine industry, Washington is now the nation’s second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world’s top wine regions.
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region’s unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality.
With 36,000+ acres planted, Washington has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium wine grapes. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds. (Washington Wine Commission)
Abeja
Winery: Abeja
Region: Washington
Sub-region: Columbia Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Traditional methods combined with innovative techniques, and a meticulous commitment to detail, define the Abeja winemaking philosophy. From the site chosen to plant the vines, and the care given them throughout the year, to harvest, and through the numerous stages of the winemaking process, there are many choices to make and each have a lasting and cumulative effect upon quality.
Their small team is passionately dedicated to quality. This begins in the vineyard, and continues through every part of the process that leads to their final product. Their state-of-the-art winery is designed to handle even the smallest quantities of fruit, so that farming for flavor always takes precedence over logistics.
Their wines are made to accompany the meal. This means a balanced wine with a solid framework of tannin and acidity that is filled with pure, lush, fruit, richness in the mid-palate, elegant integrated oak, a moderate alcohol level and a generous finish. They accomplish this through meticulous viticultural management, gentle handling of the fruit and the wine, customized practices for every lot no matter how small, and carefully selected French oak.
Categories: Cabernet Sauvignon
Cadence Winery
Winery: Cadence
Region: Washington
Sub-region: Red Mountain Columbia Valley
Bel Canto
Camerata
Ciel du Cheval
Taptiel
Cadence is dedicated to showcasing the finest vineyard sites in Red Mountain. The wines express the power, intensity, and elegance of the vineyard and reflect Washington’s greatest vineyard terroir.
DeLille Cellars
Winery: DeLille Cellars
Region: Washington
Sub-region: Red Mountain
Please call for current releases.
Located in Woodinville Washington, DeLille Cellars is dedicated to producing the best Bordeaux Style Red and White wines made in Washington. DeLille’s wines regularly score near the top of the popular rating scales, and the winery’s limited production of reds and whites sells out quickly every year.
“One of the GREAT producers from Washington”
Robert Parker Jr.
Efeste Wines
Winery: Efeste Wines
Region: Washington
Sub-region: Columbia Valley
Riesling Evergreen
Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon Big Papa
Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah Final Final
Syrah Ceidleigh
Another great find from Washington State! Efeste believes that a minimal approach makes the best wine. Efeste works primarily with old vines, bringing forth maturity and concentration while maintaining elegance. Native fermentation encourages lovely, earthy notes without eclipsing the fruit that is unique to the vineyard. The fruit speaks for itself, not unlike art, where beauty and excitement are found in the unique aberrations, Efeste encourages the production of wines with character, as they believe great wines have personality.
Categories: Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah-Shiraz
Hedges Family Estate
Winery: Hedges
Region: Washington
Sub-region: Red Mountain
CMS White
CMS Red
CMS Rose
Red Mountain
It was 1986 when Washington native Tom Hedges found his first employment in the wine industry marketing American wines in Taiwan. From that humble beginning, Hedges Cellars, then a “virtual” winery, found its first customer: the government of Sweden. Tom and his wife Anne-Marie marketed their Cabernet/Merlot blend to foreign buyers exclusively for two years before going domestic and opening up North American distribution. Still without their own winery, they took a chance buying acreage on an obscure little hill called Red Mountain.
The Hedges have concentrated their efforts on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and the concept of terroir since their first vintage in 1987. With Anne-Marie Hedges’ roots and childhood in the Champagne region of France, it was only natural that a French-style chateau would be built on the slopes of Red Mountain amongst their vines.
Brother Pete Hedges joined the winery as General Manager, becoming head Winemaker in 2002. Son Christophe and his wife Maggie began working for the winery soon thereafter and Hedges Cellars became Hedges Family Estate.
Their future direction is clear: they will continue to work as a family to unite farming, winemaking, and the promotion of our wines and the Red Mountain AVA.
House of Independent Producers
Winery: House of Independent Producers
Region: Washington
Sub-region: Columbia Valley
Merlot ‘La Bourgeoisie’
The House of Independent Producers is a project aimed at showcasing some of the best vineyard sites using single vitis vinifera grape varieties. The project is directed under Christophe Hedges, who feels that some of the larger, independently owned vineyards need recognition in single vineyard wines. The House of Independent Producers is a catch-all phrase to describe the independent nature of the grower and the vintner. No advertising and no scores.
Categories: Merlot
L'Ecole Nº 41
Winery: L’ecole No. 41
Region: Washington
Sub-region: Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Semillon Seven Hills
Semillon Fries
Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla
Merlot Seven Hills
Apogee
Perigee
The family owned L’Ecole Nº 41 has been producing premium handcrafted varietal wines since 1983 in the historic Frenchtown School in Lowden, Washington. The wines are celebrated by the press, and compare favorably to many more expensive wines from their peers. These wines have everything going for them: top Washington fruit, impeccable winemaking, brilliant packaging, and unmatched value. One of our most popular producers.
Categories: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sémillon
Leonetti Cellar
Winery: Leonetti
Region: Washington
Sub-region: Walla Walla Valley
Leonetti wines are allocated. Please call your Sales Representative.
Next release Spring 2010.
Leonetti is one of the most famous small wineries in the Pacific Northwest – and perhaps in all of America. Since its founding in 1977, Walla Walla Valley’s oldest winery has been producing world-class red wines under the careful eye of the Figgins family. Leonetti Cellar specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a Reserve blend that is made only in the most exceptional vintages. Leonetti wines have received lofty ratings by international wine media and are consistently ranked as some of the best in the world.
“One of four GREAT producers from Washington” – Robert Parker Jr.
Robert Karl Cellars
Winery: Robert Karl
Region: Washington
Sub-region: Columbia Valley
Claret
Syrah
Cabernet Sauvignon
Inspiration Reserve Red
We are very excited about this winery. Winemaker Joseph Gunselman, a physician by day, has made it his sole purpose to create a premium, hand-crafted Columbia Valley CS using the best fruit available. He also believes wine to be an essential, healthy part of a meal. Doctor’s orders! His 2000 offering is full of sweet fruit, berries, and vanilla flavors – masterfully balanced by a backbone of acid and sweet tannins. Downright delicious.
Categories: Cabernet Sauvignon, Claret, Syrah-Shiraz
Syncline Winery
Winery: Syncline Cellars
Region: Washington
Sub-region: Columbia Valley
Please call for current releases.
Syncline Wine Cellars is dedicated to producing ultra-premium world-class wines (Rhone varietal emphasis) made with grapes sourced from some of Washington State’s finest vineyards. In a quest to produce extraordinary wines with unique personalities, Syncline has developed close partnerships with some of the Washington state’s best vineyards and vineyard managers. These are wines of excellent quality and character.