Guide to Wine Scores

Comprehensive quality control in the vineyards allows Mercer Estates Winery owners Rob and Brenda Mercer the ability to deliver exciting estate-grown wines at exceptional values.  Their tiered brands offer a range, from value-driven reds and whites to ultra-premium reserve wines. Founded in 2005, this winery continues to impress at every turn. The Mercer’s family has been … [Read more...] about 7 Releases from Mercer Estates

Mark and Tami Garvin opened Tipsy Canyon Winery in Manson, with  help from their daughter, Lexi. The Garvins were inspired to make their first barrel of hobby wine nearly 15 years ago and the first batch was an instant hit with friends and family. As thee Garvins increased quantities with each passing year, their operation expanded and so did their dreams. They  purchased a … [Read more...] about Tipsy Canyon Winery Opens Near Lake Chelan

During Stephanie Jones’ Navy service aboard a guided missile destroyer in the Mediterranean, her palate was honed on wines from Spain, Italy and France. “When I joined the civilian world I knew I wanted to incorporate winemaking as part of my life. I love to learn and I love to challenge myself, and winemaking fits the bill in both regards,” says Stephanie. Inspired by the … [Read more...] about 3 Releases From Glacier View Cellars

WIT Cellars is the endearing story of three friends who worked tirelessly together to form their own winery and have continued to flourish using the motto of “whatever it takes.” The trio previously met while working together at a flagship winery in the Yakima Valley; Flint Nelson as winemaker, Carolina Warwick (nicknamed Cat) as assistant winemaker and Gina Adams-Royer as … [Read more...] about WIT Cellars Expands On The State’s West Side

Fiona Mak is on a mission to show wine lovers that Rosé isn’t just meant for summer—it’s a wine for every season. Her winery and tasting room, SMAK, is the newest addition to Walla Walla’s incubator winery district near the airport. Originally from Hong Kong, Fiona holds a degree in Hospitality Management from Syracuse University and has been at the helm of several … [Read more...] about SMAK Wines Goes All In For Rosé

Walla Walla-based Foundry Vineyards opened a tasting room in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. Founded in 1998 by Mark and Patty Anderson, the winery launched in 2003 utilizing fruit from their estate vineyard. Second-generation siblings Jay and Lisa Anderson now run the winery, continuing to expand and bring new vision to the business. In addition to their red and white wines, … [Read more...] about Foundry Vineyards Malbec & Pét-Nat

The idea for Lone Point Cellars was born during a Hawaiian family vacation, turning into a grand project along the way. After years of farming fruit orchards on Brewster flats in the north central region of the state, Jim and Dana Divis wanted to try their hand at something new. They already had a background in farming to get vines planted and a winery started, but wanted an … [Read more...] about Lone Point Cellars Brings Wine, Food & Lodging to Brewster

A plaque hangs in John and Rebecca Otis’ Zillah tasting room with the words, “All because two people fell in love,” setting the tone for the meaningful connections the Otises hold with those in their lives and with wine. John is no stranger to the winemaking business, having opened Crossroads Winery in Frisco, Texas in 2005. Crossroads was also the place he and Rebecca met … [Read more...] about From Texas Roots to Yakima Valley: Velen Winery

Established in 2001, Forgeron Cellars’ latest opening in Leavenworth is the third addition to their line-up (with opportunities to taste in Woodinville, as well as the flagship tasting room and winery in Walla Walla). Cody Janett was promoted to head winemaker in 2018 when Forgeron's founding winemaker Marie Gilla relocated into a new winemaking position at Valdemar Estates. … [Read more...] about Cody Janett Moves Into Top Winemaking Position At Forgeron Cellars

Valdemar Estates is the product of five generations of winemaking. Originating from Rioja in Spain, the family has been making wine since 1889 (the same year, coincidentally, that Washington became a state). Jesús Martinez Bujanda, the CEO and fifth-generation representative of the Valdemar family, moved to Walla Walla from Rioja to launch the winery. “We intend to showcase … [Read more...] about Valdemar Estates Brings 130 Years Of Winemaking To Washington

Tanya Woodley and Elaine Jomwe, SuLei founders and partners, have been churning out exceptional wines for the last 12 years. Washington Tasting Room first reported on them in 2014 upon the opening of their Walla Walla tasting room—and their latest red and white releases are hard proof this duo is a consistent winner in every category. Producing high quality, bang-for-your-buck … [Read more...] about Walla Walla-Based SuLei Cellars Expands To Vancouver, Wash.

Looking to cultivate a traditional European vibe to showcase his selection of Michael Florentino Cellars and Sherman Wines, proprietor Brad Sherman has expanded his footprint beyond Woodinville. The new location is in the heart of a thriving wine-tasting scene at SODO Urban Works in Seattle. “We wanted to launch the new Sherman brand through our new location,” explains Brad. … [Read more...] about Old World Tasting Room Brings European Vibe To Seattle

“Every wine has a story,” is a mantra for Jean (aka J.J.) Compeau. He named his winery Narratif out of respect for both his French heritage and the stories he has been telling about Washington’s wine regions and wineries during his more than two decades working in the wine business. It was a twist of fate three years ago that sent him transitioning out of working for other … [Read more...] about Narratif Winery Launches In Yakima Valley

Matt and Kelly Austin met early in their respective careers as attorney and fashion designer in Los Angeles. Their interest in wine flared during an impromptu trip to Santa Barbara and more wine-region adventures ensued, including many in Kelly’s home state of Washington. “When I decided that I’d like to return to school to learn to make wine, we knew that Washington was where … [Read more...] about Minimal Intervention Wines From Grosgrain Vineyards

This tasting room recently opened in June of 2019, nestled in the heart of the historic downtown neighborhood of Snohomish with a grand view of the river from the covered back deck. Ron and Anne Shackelford’s story began eight years earlier when the couple began searching for a property east of the Cascades, looking for a place to get away for weekends and soak up the sun … [Read more...] about 3 Wines From Shackelford Vintners in Snohomish

Rider Cellars began as a leap of faith by owners Colby and Kristen Rider. In 2016 they decided to move away from the hustle and bustle of the Seattle area in favor of the more serene environment of Selah. “Neither one of us had any experience in the wine industry, but when we found the home we now live in, with the vineyard on site, we decided to embark on this new adventure,” … [Read more...] about Rider Cellars Opens First Tasting Room in Selah, WA

Inspired by the “lo-fi” wine movement in Australia, Riley Miller established Sonder Wines to make beautiful, low-intervention, low alcohol Washington wines. Beginning his journey as an architecture student at WSU, Riley quickly realized he needed a more fresh-air approach to finding a job and changed his major to viticulture and enology (V&E). “I found a real interest in … [Read more...] about Sonder Brings Lo-Fi Wine Movement To Washington

Eye of the Needle Winery in Woodinville will release an array of new wines over the coming months, including these four that received "Outstanding" ratings. The premium quality of grapes is evident in each bottling, something owners Bob and Lauren Bullock take immense pride in. Through the years they have maintained long-term relationships with some of the finest growers and … [Read more...] about 4 Releases From Eye Of The Needle Winery

Mercer Estates upholds the family's long-standing belief that sustainability and conservation are the single most important factors in the continued success of not just the winery and vineyard side of the operation, but the farming side as well. They grow a wide assortment of fruits and vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, garlic, onions, kale and (most importantly) wine … [Read more...] about 10 Releases from Mercer Estates, All Produced Sustainably in Washington