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 wife Judi Martin-Scott, is a regional leader.
“I see wine as a unifying experience,” explains Mike. “It creates a sense of commonality among people.” He aims for wines that “you can drink now.” Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Muscat Canelli flourish on the winery’s 37-acre estate ridge top vineyard. His expertise in the vineyard extends beyond his own winery; he managed the 2,000-acre Jones of Washington vineyard for years.
This is unquestionably a family-run winery: Mike handles the vineyard and winemaking duties, spouse Judi Martin-Scott adds her expertise as a hospital lab technologist to the wine operation, son Tim helps contain vineyard pest problems, son Chris helps with final blend formulation and daughter-in-law Becky lends her artistic eye to the decor.
While growth would seem an inevitable result of their success, Mike plans on keeping the winery pretty much as is. “We want to get better, not bigger. I’d rather sell fewer bottles of better wine.”
Harvested from the winery’s estate grapes at Grace’s Vineyard, this easy-going Gewürztraminer is named after their first grandchild who has helped in the vineyard since she was five years old.
Nose: Aromas of lychee, grapefruit and gardenia.
Taste: Layers of rose petals, lychee, white peach, pear and honeysuckle backed with clean minerality. An easy sipper that strikes a nice balance between sweet and dry notes.
Recommended pairing: Baked ham with brown sugar honey glaze, Thanksgiving turkey dinner, or enjoy with a snack of Gruyere cheese.
Editor’s Choice
Production: 53 cases
Alcohol: 12.7%
Website: www.martinscottwines.com