Guide to Wine Scores

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

Seven Hills Winery 2016 Seven Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley, $50 Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.) Aged for 22 months in French oak barrels, the elegant yet powerful structure that carries this single-vineyard red wine has long been a trademark of this flagship Walla Walla Valley winery. Seamless in style, expressing abundant flavors of rich, … [Read more...] about 2 Releases From Seven Hills Winery

Maryhill’s third (and latest) tasting room is a grand-sized 4,890-square-foot tasting room in downtown Vancouver, WA. It’s part of a $1.5 billion waterfront development along the metro-friendly Waterfront Renaissance Trail, a popular five-mile paved biking and walking path. The tasting room boasts an outdoor patio with expansive views of the Columbia River and Mount Hood. … [Read more...] about Maryhill Comes To Vancouver, WA In Grand Style

Born out of a passion for the Walla Walla Valley, Bledsoe Family Winery was founded two years ago by former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe and his wife, Maura. After his retirement from the NFL in 2007, Drew and his wife returned to his hometown of Walla Walla and planted their first vineyard, McQueen. Over the next ten years, they established and developed three more Walla Walla … [Read more...] about Bledsoe Family Winery Opens Tasting Room

As the next step in its evolution, Canvasback opened a tasting room in June of 2019 in Walla Walla's southside wine district. Founded by Napa’s Duckhorn winery, Canvasback laid down roots in Washington when it planted predominately Cabernet (with some Merlot) on a prime 20-acre plot situated near the top of Red Mountain in 2014. The winery is armed with a stronghold of … [Read more...] about 2 Releases From Canvasback, Now Open In Walla Walla

Fortuity Cellars is an apt name for this Yakima Valley-based winery whose story began with a text message. When Lee and Emily Fergestrom got married in 2016 they fell in love with the idea of building their lives around wine and launching their own company. Since launching, Fortuity Cellars has worked with other consulting winemakers in the Yakima Valley. They broke ground … [Read more...] about Fortuity Cellars Named 2019 Rising Startup of the Year

What began as a hobby in the home of Todd Threlkeld and his wife Anne Stevens in 2011 has developed into a full-fledged winery. In 2016 they had their first commercial harvest, and have since gone from being a “garage and basement winery” to opening a Seattle tasting room and wine production facility in the SoDo neighborhood in 2019. Previously holding down careers as a high … [Read more...] about “Moderate Interventionist” Wines From T2 Cellar

Negociant “super sleuths” Bob and Lauren Bullock, owners of Eye of the Needle Winery in Woodinville, WA continue to up the ante with their latest releases of white and red blends. Their longtime relationships with some of the finest growers and vineyards in the state give them access to top quality fruit at savings that they pass on to their customers. These releases offer … [Read more...] about New Releases From Eye Of The Needle Winery

Seabeck Cellars prides itself on being a family business, operated by husband and wife Steve and Lynda Rants, their son Scott Rants and his wife Ravynn. Each team member contributes their expertise; Ravynn focuses on their website, social media, and photography, Lynda on bookkeeping, and Steve handles the cellar tasks alongside Scott, who wears the title of winemaker. And of … [Read more...] about Seabeck Cellars Is A Family Affair Worth Noting

Part of a rich Washington farming legacy, it’s no surprise that Gard Vintners has broadened its reach in the state with a tasting room in Walla Walla. The other tasting room locations are in Ellensburg and Woodinville. Operated by husband and wife team Lisa and Josh Lawrence, the couple met in college and after getting married, moved back to Royal City where Josh had grown … [Read more...] about Gard Vintners Launches 3rd Tasting Room

This popular Wenatchee-based winery has now opened a tasting room in the quaint Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth. Prior to the husband and wife team of Doug and Debé Brazil starting the winery and onsite restaurant 15 years ago, they had traveled the world and cultivated a sophisticated love of wine and an appreciation for approachable leisure. At Chateau Faire Le Pont … [Read more...] about Chateau Faire Le Pont Opens In Leavenworth

While it took many years and several hurdles for all-star winemaker Kendall Mix to release his first vintage of Lawrelin Wines, his patience certainly paid off with a micro-winery that releases incredibly aged vintages. Lawrelin got its start back when Kendall still worked at Chateau Ste. Michelle in 2000 and was given the opportunity to make wine for himself. Impressed with … [Read more...] about “Library Wines” From Lawrelin Cellars