Guide to Wine Scores

On the north side of the Lake Chelan, the community of Manson, Wash. houses a number of wineries.  The tasting room for C.R. Sandidge sits on the town’s main drag in a modest building that only hints at the global success of its winemaker. After a 30-year career that has earned him awards and accolades enough to fill a barrel, Ray Sandidge now crafts his superb wines in … [Read more...] about C.R. Sandidge Comes Full Circle to Chelan Origins

Owner/winemaker Angela Jacobs is a veteran of the Washington and Oregon wine regions who came to Manson, Wash. in 2010 to pursue her potential in the Lake Chelan Valley AVA. WineGirl reflects the work-around-the clock attitude of its owner. Located on Manson’s main street in a former garage, the winery combines tasting room and production. Crush gear jostles with cases and … [Read more...] about WineGirl Wines 2013 Rosé & 2011 Kamari Reserve Cabernet Franc

When Craig and Vicki Leuthold established Maryhill Winery in 1999 there were barely a hundred wineries in Washington State. I recall my first sip of their signature red blend, Winemaker’s Red, at a culinary event hosted at one of Seattle’s large downtown venues in the early 2000s. Like so many countless others, I instantly became a fan and follower of one of the state’s most … [Read more...] about Maryhill’s Classic Series of Red & White Wines

Advanced Sommelier Christopher Chan and co-founder, Peggy Reddy, established Coral Wines in 2013. Fueled by their shared interest to create a Provence style Rosé with grapes sourced from Washington vineyards, their inaugural releases include both a white and red Southern Rhone style blend alongside the Rosé. Chan was formerly the wine and spirits director at Seattle’s … [Read more...] about Coral Wines Launches Three Shades of Coral

John Haw has been making wine since 1972 and his career includes stints at Sokol Blosser and Maryhill Winery among others, before joining owner Brad Gearhart over a decade ago.  Applying careful vineyard selection, he coaxes distinctive site characteristics into the wines, focusing on red Bordeaux varietals like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, but also including … [Read more...] about Jacob Williams 2010 Reserve Zinfandel, $35

Bob Lorkowski took over Cascade Cliffs in 1997 and has re-energized the pioneer winery/vineyard into a powerhouse with a reputation for Piedmont varietals: Barbera, Nebbiolo and Dolcetto. The 23-acre estate vineyard includes Sangiovese and a mix of non-Italian varietals like Merlot, Grüner Veltliner and a rarely heard of grape in the Pacific Northwest, Symphony, a cross between … [Read more...] about Cascade Cliffs 2013 Columbia Valley Sangiovese, $45

Specializing in Bordeaux  varietal blends, the Seattle-based OS Winery recently relocated to the Georgetown neighborhood just south of downtown. “The new location and tasting room is more convenient for our customers and gives us the opportunity to create new relationships with those who are new to our wine,” says second-generation owner Peggy Sullivan, who has been involved … [Read more...] about OS Winery 2012 Sonas Merlot, $25

Coming from a family that is six generations deep in the Walla Walla Valley, brothers Chris and Cameron Kontos have a deep connection to the local community.  Their father is a partner and co-winemaker at Fort Walla Walla Cellars, and has had a strong influence on Cameron’s winemaking style. Cameron took wine classes at Walla Walla Community College and then spent an … [Read more...] about Kontos Cellars 2011 Walla Walla Valley Merlot, $34

Owners Dave and Michelle Dufenhorst were inspired by the European tradition of small family vineyards during bicycle rides in France and Italy and decided to plant a few vines and build a home on land they purchased in Orondo, not far from Chelan. However, once Dave turned to consulting winemaker Ron Bunnell (Bunnell Family Cellars) to take a look at the viability of the … [Read more...] about Rocky Pond 2013 Clos Chevalle Vineyard Riesling, $20

Owned by Bowin Lindgren of Connecticut, Chateau Rollat has had an established tasting room presence in Walla Walla but recently opened a second one at their production winery in Woodinville. The winery is named in honor of Lindgren’s great grandfather, Edouard Rollat, one of the foremost wine authorities in New York at the turn of the last century.  Rollat was the sommelier … [Read more...] about Chateau Rollat 2010 “Edouard” Red Wine, $62

Côte Bonneville, founded by Hugh and Kathy Shiels in 2001, showcases the incredible grapes they grow at DuBrul Vineyard, one of the premium sites in the Yakima Valley (featured in the Spring 2010 issue). Traditional winemaking techniques are combined with cutting edge science under the skillful guidance of daughter and winemaker, Kerry Shiels.  Kerry has been immersed in the … [Read more...] about Côte Bonneville 2009 Carriage House Red Wine, $50

Mike Conway was assistant winemaker for California’s Parducci Winery before he and his wife Ellena moved to Washington in 1980. “With the help of grape grower Mike Hogue, we actually started two wineries—our own Latah Creek and Mike Hogue’s Hogue Cellars,” Conway told Tasting Room Magazine.  “Three years later when it became impossible to make wines for both wineries my full … [Read more...] about Latah Creek Monarch Red, $20

Winemaker Morgan Lee continues to bring fresh, innovative ideas and winemaking techniques to this boutique Woodinville winery.  He allowed the grapes, sourced from Olsen Vineyard in the Yakima Valley, extended maceration to create this artistic and interesting wine. Nose: A pretty hue of light orange and perfumed aromas of white rose petals, jasmine and candied … [Read more...] about Two Vintners 2013 O.G. Gewürztraminer, $28

The very first Syrah vineyard block planted in Washington State was at Red Willow Vineyard in 1986, making it truly the mother of Washington Syrah.  It is estimated that 80 percent of all Syrah plantings in Washington can be traced back to cuttings from this vineyard.  Owen Roe winemaker David O'Reilly carefully selected the grapes used in this alluring Syrah from one of the … [Read more...] about Owen Roe 2012 Syrah Chapel Block, Red Willow Vineyard, $55

One of Woodinville's founding wineries, DeLille Cellars holds a long tradition of producing quality Bordeaux varietal wines. They have been producing the Chaleur Estate Blanc since 1995—a classic French styled wine produced from a barrel fermented blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.  The 2013 vintage is two thirds Sauvignon Blanc and one-third Semillon (sourced from … [Read more...] about DeLille Cellars 2013 Chaleur Estate Blanc, $38

Chris Figgins cut his teeth on cult wines while growing up on the family's iconic Walla Walla winery helping his father, Gary Figgins, founder of Leonetti Cellars.  An integral partner at Leonetti today, Chris utilized his adeptness in the vineyard and cellar to launch his own project several years ago.  FIGGINS is a winery with one Walla Walla vineyard that produces a … [Read more...] about FIGGINS 2011 Estate Red Wine, $85

Wenatchee is home to dozens of wineries that are worth exploring, not just for great wine, but for surprising bargain values like this Gewürztraminer from Martin-Scott Winery.  Mike Scott turned to vineyards after a life of fruit farming, bringing his agriculture knowledge and growing skills to vineyard management.  Twenty years later, Martin-Scott Winery, run by Mike and his … [Read more...] about Martin-Scott 2013 Gewürztraminer, $16

This wine is a gorgeous gem from the team at Betz Family Winery, where they have been sourcing grapes used in this Syrah from Boushey Vineyards for 13 vintages.  The high altitude Yakima Valley vineyard site benefits from cooler desert temperatures which contribute to the purity and concentration of fruit flavors showcased in this outstanding wine. Nose: Restrained black … [Read more...] about Betz Family Winery 2012 La Serenne Syrah, $55

Founded in 2000 by Nina Buty, the winery's talent includes winemaker Chris Dowsett and acclaimed consultanting winemaker Zelma Long. In 2013, Buty Cellars began harvesting Sémillon for this traditional white Bordeaux style blend from Boushey Vineyard. They also source Sémillon from the oldest block of Rosebud Ranch on the warm Wahluke Slope. Using grapes from these very … [Read more...] about Buty 2013 Sémillon, Sauvignon & Muscadelle, $25

The combined winemaking talent of Michael Corliss, Andrew Trio and Philippe Melka shine brilliantly with this masterful and opulent offering from Walla Walla-based Corliss Estates.  The winery maintains an impressive 450-acres of estate-grown vineyards in Red Mountain, Walla Walla Valley and Yakima Valley AVAs. Nose: Floral aromas infused with red fruit, coffee bean, pencil … [Read more...] about Corliss 2009 Red Wine, $75

Cave B Estate Winery is located in the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley AVA, a region especially well-known for producing outstanding white grape varietals.  Under the deft hand of winemaker Alfredo "Freddy" Arredondo (formerly a chef), Cave B's estate-grown wines are crafted using minimalist interventionist techniques: no added enzymes, sugars or acids. This dazzling white … [Read more...] about Cave B 2012 Cuvée Blanc, $25

One of Lake Chelan's founding wineries, Tsillan Cellars is an Italian country style winery, full-service restaurant and event venue established in 2000 by visionary Dr. Robert Jankelson. The tasting room is a must-see destination that's hard to miss on the south side of the lake on Hwy 97A about three miles from the resort town of Chelan.  Mediterranean charm oozes from the … [Read more...] about Tsillan Cellars 2013 Estate Gewürztraminer, $14