Tasting Room Magazine

The magazine for people who love wine tasting

Guide to Wine Scores

Our wine reviews are based on evaluative tastings by Tasting Room Magazine’s editors. Overall score ratings are based on aroma; flavor; typicity of character; structure and balance. Quality-to-price ratio (QPR) can play a factor, meaning that an $80 wine with a score of 90 pts. falls in a much higher league than that of a $15 wine given the same score.

95-100 pts. – Extraordinary: a truly great wine of its variety
91-94 pts. – Outstanding: exceptional quality, character and complexity
88-90 pts. – Excellent: very well made and highly recommended
85-87 pts. – Recommended: a solid wine, may offer superior value if the price is right

Mercer Wines Shine With Terroir of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA

Armed with world-class grapes from their family vineyards farmed in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, proprietors Rob and Brenda Mercer have branched out over time with several Mercer Wine brands. The brands range from premium Mercer Reserves to Small Lot selections to Mercer Bros, and Subsoil value-buys. The Mercer family planted the first wine grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills in … [Read more...] about Mercer Wines Shine With Terroir of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA

Muret-Gaston Winery Brings Premium Wines and Mediterranean Bites To Kennewick

Kyle and Amy Johnson are the power-couple behind the success of Muret-Gaston Winery and sister wineries, Purple Star and Native Sun. The husband-and-wife winemaking team established their Benton City production facility in 2012. Most recently, in mid-2022 they opened a sleek modern tasting room and wine bar in historic downtown Kennewick that offers patio seating overlooking … [Read more...] about Muret-Gaston Winery Brings Premium Wines and Mediterranean Bites To Kennewick

Damsel Cellars Opens 2nd Tasting Room in Woodinville

Mari (pronounced Mary) Womack has been earning respect and praise for crafting singular wines of distinction since her inaugural 2012 and 2013 releases of Cabernet and Syrah [eaerning her “winemaker to watch” in Washington Tasting Room Magazine’s Summer 2016 issue]. Mari’s killer winemaking instincts and trusted palate honed from her earlier restaurant background are … [Read more...] about Damsel Cellars Opens 2nd Tasting Room in Woodinville

4 Reds from Prohibition Cellars

Sandor and Sabrina Faludi continue to build upon a following that has been attracted to this Woodinville warehouse winery ever since they opened in 2019. The husband and wife team turn out small-lot reds and whites served at this gem of a tasting room with hospitable flair. Hungarian-born Sandor says he fosters Old World philosophy, much inspired by his grandfather, who was a … [Read more...] about 4 Reds from Prohibition Cellars

Hollywood Actor Kyle MacLachlan Brings Theatrical Flair to Walla Walla

Yakima-native and screen star Kyle MacLachlan is best known for his film and television roles in cult classics such as Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks. He is also well known in wine circles around the state for his Pursued by Bear wines, which he established 18 years ago. Celebrity status aside, the wines here are on a par far above the norm. “I grew up in Eastern Washington, not … [Read more...] about Hollywood Actor Kyle MacLachlan Brings Theatrical Flair to Walla Walla

New Ownership Takes Dancing Fish Vineyards to the Next Generation

FIVE-STAR HOSPITALITY and a host of festive events combine with first-rate wines in an elegant country setting at this Whidbey Island winery in the town of Freeland WA. Founders Brad and Nancy Thompson have retired and passed the torch to new owners Ross and Erin Egge. Ross spent much of his youth at a family home on Whidbey Island before embarking on a career that … [Read more...] about New Ownership Takes Dancing Fish Vineyards to the Next Generation

Upscale Italian Vibes at Tsillan Cellars in Woodinville

Lake Chelan-based Tsillan Cellars has operated a satellite tasting room in Woodinville since 2017. Now, to better serve their wine club members and guests, founder Bob Jankelson and his talented team recently moved the tasting room across Woodinville into the ever-popular “Wine Alley” section of the Woodin Creek retail district (in October of 2022). There is plenty of … [Read more...] about Upscale Italian Vibes at Tsillan Cellars in Woodinville

Browne Family Vineyards Brings Wine & Craft Spirits to Bellevue

Browne Family Vineyards has opened their fourth tasting room, this time in Bellevue WA, bringing Walla Walla wines to residents of Seattle’s Eastside. The elegant and refined décor has a timeless feel, like stepping inside a 1940s-era British manor from the set of The Kingsman film series—a nod of honor to the founder’s grandfather who was a war hero and top intelligence agent … [Read more...] about Browne Family Vineyards Brings Wine & Craft Spirits to Bellevue

Alluvium Cellars is ‘Winery to Watch’ in Warehouse District

Armed with an enthusiasm for fine wine, Tyson and Brittany Trautmann started experimenting with winemaking techniques on a small-scale in their garage. Their skills and dedication grew as they scaled up production, officially commencing Alluvium Cellars in 2019. They opened a Woodinville tasting room with a “modern rustic aesthetic” at The Junction, a collection of … [Read more...] about Alluvium Cellars is ‘Winery to Watch’ in Warehouse District

Dahlman Cellars Wine Bar in Tacoma’s Stadium District

When Washington Tasting Room Magazine initially reported on Jim and Andrea Dahlman’s winery venture [Fall 2021 issue], their first commercial wines had been released but they did not yet have a tasting room. Though still a small-size winery at 800 cases annual production (and growing), their dream has materialized into a cozy neighborhood-style wine bar in Tacoma’s historic … [Read more...] about Dahlman Cellars Wine Bar in Tacoma’s Stadium District

Montinore Estate Brings Legacy of Oregon Pinot Noir to Greater Seattle

  Two Willamette Valley-based wineries, Montinore Estate and Landlines Estates (both under the same ownership), recently opened a shared tasting room in Woodinville’s “Wine Walk Row” in the Schoolhouse District neighborhood. As consumers place more and more emphasis on sustainably farmed goods and products, it can be confusing when a buzzword like “natural” wine is … [Read more...] about Montinore Estate Brings Legacy of Oregon Pinot Noir to Greater Seattle

Tri-Cities Based Barnard Griffin Introduces Westside Location

The iconic Barnard Griffin winery was started by Rob Griffin, head winemaker, and his wife Deborah Barnard, in 1983. Their first vintage was a small truckload of borrowed fruit that Rob fermented in rented cellar space while working as winemaker for Preston Cellars. Their daughter, Megan Hughes, is following in Rob’s footsteps as second-generation winemaker and … [Read more...] about Tri-Cities Based Barnard Griffin Introduces Westside Location

Bacovino Winery Adds to Seattle’s Burgeoning Wine Scene

Bacovino's owner Randy Brooks grew up in the Puget Sound region surrounded by family with agricultural ties, which he says fueled his studies in biology and business. His early exposure to wine and food began at a family gathering, which grew over the years into a time-honored tradition. “Every year, my uncle would host a special dinner—he would bring fresh Alaskan salmon and … [Read more...] about Bacovino Winery Adds to Seattle’s Burgeoning Wine Scene

Glacier View Cellars 2019 Gothic Basin

When vintner and outdoor enthusiast Stephanie Jones at Glacier View Cellars calls someone a dirtbag, it's a term of endearment for fellow nature fans who hold an appreciation for bold, hand-crafted wines. An avid hiker, many of Stephanie's vegetarian-friendly wines are named after her favorite trails in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, members of the winery's “Dirtbagger Wine … [Read more...] about Glacier View Cellars 2019 Gothic Basin

3 Releases from Love That Red Winery

A passion for the sport of horse racing and love of world-class red wines is Terry and Kriss Wells’ inspiration for the winery. It has been a decade since they worked on their inaugural vintage, locating their winery in the Woodinville Warehouse Winery District. Not unlike breeding thoroughbred race horses, their “slow and steady wins the race” approach to winemaking continues … [Read more...] about 3 Releases from Love That Red Winery

4 New Releases from Mercer Bros. & Mercer Estates

The Mercer Bros. tier is an extension of Mercer Estates, a family operation that planted the first wine grapes in the Columbia Valley’s Horse Heaven Hills nearly 50 years ago. The Mercer Bros. Cabernet Sauvignon was recently ranked as a "Top 100" wine. These latest releases are exceptional values. You can find many of them on store shelves at major retail outlets, however some … [Read more...] about 4 New Releases from Mercer Bros. & Mercer Estates

Brian Carter Cellars Takes It Up A Notch in Woodinville’s Woodin Creek

Veteran winemaker Brian Carter has been crafting his proprietary blends for a remarkable 43 years in Washington. In 2022, he moved his former Woodinville tasting room where he had operated for many years and relocated in exciting new surroundings in Woodin Creek Village closer to downtown Woodinville. The Village location boasts a full kitchen and bistro pairing menu. It’s … [Read more...] about Brian Carter Cellars Takes It Up A Notch in Woodinville’s Woodin Creek

3 Reds from Prohibition Cellars

Sandor and Sabrina Faludi have been part of the fabric of Woodinville's warehouse winery district since opening officially in 2019.  The husband and wife team turn out small-lot, carefully crafted wines served at the tasting room with hospitable flair. Sandor’s winemaking talent and inspiration come from his grandfather, who was a winemaker with a small vineyard in Hungary … [Read more...] about 3 Reds from Prohibition Cellars