In tough times, we continue the search for good, inexpensive wines.
The May Virtual Tasting will be tonight from 7-8pm Pacific. The wine is the 2009 Pacific Rim Columbia Valley Riesling. This wine retails for $12 and is widely available. If you can't find this wine - or prefer another style - feel free to grab any of the Pacific Rim wines and join in (Note: Some may see the 2010 on the shelves).What you need to do to participate is:
1. Buy this month’s wine from a local retailer or from the winery
2. Post your comments/tweets on the wine between 7 and 8pm. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport. I will be using the hashtag #rieslingrules during the event.
Hope you will join us!
Reminder: This month's Virtual Tasting takes place Wednesday the 25th at 7-8pm Pacific Time. Read more about it here.
Skylite Cellars is located a short distance from downtown Walla Walla, just off Highway 12. The winery is one of a number to suddenly find itself off the beaten path when the highway moved in 2010.
Cheryl Hodgins and her family first became interested in wine in 1990 when they fell in love with the wines of Walla Walla Vintners. In 1999 the family decided to go in with a group of investors in Ash Hollow Vineyard. A year later, Hodgins’ father planted a small “hobby” vineyard.
Skylite Cellars is located a short distance from downtown Walla Walla, just off Highway 12. The winery is one of a number to suddenly find itself off the beaten path when the highway moved in 2010.Cheryl Hodgins and her family first became interested in wine in 1990 when they fell in love with the wines of Walla Walla Vintners. In 1999 the family decided to go in with a group of investors in Ash Hollow Vineyard. A year later, Hodgins’ father planted a small “hobby” vineyard.
Reminder: This month's Virtual Tasting takes place Wednesday the 25th at 7-8pm Pacific Time. Read more about it here.
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from May 15th to 21st. See previous round-ups here.
From around the country…
The Washington Post writes about Aligote with a callout to Jed Steele.
Market Watch writes about Bill Foley going on a shopping spree (brief mention of Washington).
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from May 15th to 21st. See previous round-ups here.
From around the country…
The Washington Post writes about Aligote with a callout to Jed Steele.
Market Watch writes about Bill Foley going on a shopping spree (brief mention of Washington).
Woodinville Wine Cellars is one of Washington’s unsung wineries – one that consistently produces high quality wine yet remains largely below the radar.The winery was founded by Stan Barrett. Barrett is President and CEO of Art Culinaire, sole US distributor for Lacanche professional cooking ranges. Several of these ranges are in use at the winery, which places a premium on the experience of wine, food, and the family table.
Fellow Washington wine lovers, the May/June edition of edibleSeattle contains an article I wrote titled 'Integral Parts: The Land and Family of Syncline Winery.' Also, the current edition of Wine & Jazz Magazine contains the article 'Columbia Gorge: A hidden gem straddling the Washington and Oregon border.'Note that both of these articles are only available in print. Old school I know, but who doesn't love the feel of pages in their hands? See a list of locations to find edibleSeattle here. Enjoy!
Wines like the Pamplin Family Winery JRG Red Wine are part of what makes drinking wine so exciting – the joy of discovery.Robert Pamplin Jr. founded Pamplin Family Winery in 2007 in Dundee, Oregon with the goal of “making the best Bordeaux varietal wines from the Pacific Northwest.” While this may seem an audacious goal, Pamplin’s life is nothing if not marked by success and accomplishment.
Born in August, Georgia, Pamplin seems to have lived many lives rolled into one. Pamplin’s resume is as long as it is diverse. He holds three Bachelors degrees (Business and Administration, Accounting, and Economics), an MBA, a Master of Education, a Ph.D. in Business Administration, and a Doctor of Ministry.
In 2004 the movie Sideways seemingly dealt a deathblow to Merlot for a generation of wine drinkers. In the movie, the character Myles famously states, “If anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any f#!ing Merlot!” Merlot sales subsequently dropped and Pinot Noir, the character’s preferred wine, correspondingly rose.Why did Myles malign merlot? With good reason. Merlot, especially when made cheaply and at high volume, can be light, fruity and inoffensive – but also entirely uninteresting. There are millions of gallons Merlot made in a style that is essentially a red wine for white wine drinkers.
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from May 8th to 14th. See previous round-ups here.
From around the country…
The New York Times writes about Myles Anderson sharing Walla Walla Vintners wine with hikers in the Rogue River area.
The Pensacola News Journal says that its time for haters to stop hating Chardonnay with a callout to Janiuk’s 2008 Cold Creek Chardonnay.
From around the country…
The New York Times writes about Myles Anderson sharing Walla Walla Vintners wine with hikers in the Rogue River area.
The Pensacola News Journal says that its time for haters to stop hating Chardonnay with a callout to Janiuk’s 2008 Cold Creek Chardonnay.
There is an inconvenient truth about spring in western Washington. It’s just not very spring like!A recent look at the daily temperatures here serves as a case in point: high of 50, low of 46. Day after day after day after day. When I asked a friend recently what the next day’s weather was going to be he said, “Raining but it’s supposed to be warmer!” with hopeful anticipation.
Rather than cloudy and overcast with a chance of rain the forecast should just say “Dreary” with an unhappy face.
Charlie Hoppes (pronounced hop-pas) of Fidelitas Wines is one of Washington’s whirlwind winemakers.Hoppes first became interested in wine in 1982 while working as an engineer at Boeing. He started out with a winemaking kit. A year later he purchased a batch of Riesling grapes and made wine at his father-in-law’s house. He was hooked.
Hoppes soon changed career directions and headed off to UC Davis, graduating in 1988. At Davis, he would not only learn the ins and outs of winemaking, he would also meet Mike Januik, now of Januik Winery, who would give him his start in the wine industry.
Today’s Fresh Sheet – new and recent Washington wine releases – includes wines from Matthews Estate, Long Shadows, Covington Cellars, Pondera Winery, and Buried Cane.
It’s hard to understate the level of experience that winemaker Mike Januik brings to bear at Januik Winery and Novelty Hill Wines. One off-handed comment on a recent visit sums it up perfectly.Januik was in the midst of blending trials on the day of my visit. When asked how it was going he said simply, “Well, I’ve been doing this for twenty-seven years.” Far from a boast it was rather a simple statement of fact.
Of course, working such a long period of time is in and of itself not an accomplishment as much as a testament to longevity. However, few in the Washington wine industry can claim the extraordinary level of success that has followed Mike Januik throughout his career.
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from May 1st to 7th. Read previous round-ups here.
From around the country…
The Washington Post picks up an AP story about Eaton Hill Winery.
The San Francisco Chronicle writes about oyster wine winners with callouts to Cadaretta’s 2010 SBS, Chateau Ste. Michelle’s 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, and Hogue’s 2009 Pinot Grigio.
The Napa Valley Register writes about the 2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling (asking whether this could be America’s greatest wine value. Answer? Yes!).
From around the country…
The Washington Post picks up an AP story about Eaton Hill Winery.
The San Francisco Chronicle writes about oyster wine winners with callouts to Cadaretta’s 2010 SBS, Chateau Ste. Michelle’s 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, and Hogue’s 2009 Pinot Grigio.
The Napa Valley Register writes about the 2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling (asking whether this could be America’s greatest wine value. Answer? Yes!).
The May Virtual Tasting will be Wednesday May 25th from 7-8pm Pacific. The wine is the 2009 Pacific Rim Columbia Valley Riesling. This wine retails for $12 and is widely available. If you can't find this wine - or prefer another style - feel free to grab any of the Pacific Rim wines and join in (Note: Some may see the 2010 on the shelves).What you need to do to participate is:
1. Buy this month’s wine from a local retailer or from the winery
2. Post your comments/tweets on the wine between 7 and 8pm. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport. I will be using the hashtag #rieslingrules during the event.
Hope you will join us!
Today’s Fresh Sheet – new and recent Washington wine releases – includes wines from Barons V, Columbia Winery, Covey Run Winery, Three Rivers Winery, and Desert Wind Winery.
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from April 22nd to 30th. Read previous round-ups here.
From around the world…
The Montreal Gazette writes about Merlot.
From around the country…
Lubbock On-line writes about eco-conscious wines.
USA Today writes about Washington wine RV campgrounds.
From the blogosphere…
Paul Gregutt writes about Ancient Lakes. See part two here.
From around the world…
The Montreal Gazette writes about Merlot.
From around the country…
Lubbock On-line writes about eco-conscious wines.
USA Today writes about Washington wine RV campgrounds.
From the blogosphere…
Paul Gregutt writes about Ancient Lakes. See part two here.
Below is a summary of posts from April 2011.
39th Amendment passes standardizing national liquor laws
Summary of Posts for March 2011
Dynasty Cellars - How Peter Osvaldik went from living on the wrong side of the border to making Washington wine
Washington Wine Round-up March 22nd to 31st
Super Premium, Ultra Premium, Extra Stupid
39th Amendment passes standardizing national liquor laws
Summary of Posts for March 2011
Dynasty Cellars - How Peter Osvaldik went from living on the wrong side of the border to making Washington wine
Washington Wine Round-up March 22nd to 31st
Super Premium, Ultra Premium, Extra Stupid
Popular Posts
-
This article appeared in Beverage Industry Enthusiast on Monday July 12, 2021. On Friday, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE), the largest w... -
Today Matthews Winery in Woodinville announced a new winemaking team, headed by Alex Stewart. Stewart was previously winemaker at Quilced... -
Veraison – the changing of color of the grapes – has begun in Columbia Valley. Brittany Komm, vineyard manager at Precept Wine , noted vera... -
This is the third in a three-part series on newly approved appellations in Washington. Read part one on White Bluffs and part two on G...
Editor
Sean P. Sullivan is the editor of Washington Wine Report and a contributing editor at Wine Enthusiast magazine, covering Washington and Idaho. He has been writing about and reviewing Washington wine since 2005.
2021-2022 Tour Guide
Blog Archive
-
▼
2011
(233)
-
▼
May
(18)
- May's Five Wines Under $15
- Tonight! May Virtual Tasting - 2009 Pacific Rim Ri...
- Skylite Cellars – One family learns the true meani...
- Washington Wine Round-up May 15th to 21st 2011
- Unsung wineries - Woodinville Wine Cellars
- Old school! Recent print articles
- Pamplin Family Winery - The joy of discovery
- Merlot strikes back!
- Washington Wine Round-up May 8th to 14th 2011
- An inconvenient truth about spring in Seattle: 201...
- Charlie Hoppes – Fidelitas’ whirlwind winemaker
- Fresh Sheet May 11th 2011
- Putting pieces of the puzzle together at Januik an...
- Washington Wine Round-up May 1st to May 7th 2011
- May Virtual Tasting - 2009 Pacific Rim Riesling Co...
- Fresh Sheet May 5th 2011
- Washington Wine Round-up April 22nd to 30th 2011
- Summary of Posts for April 2011
-
▼
May
(18)
Pages
Labels Cloud
14 Hands
2010 Initiatives
2020 Washington Merlot Challenge
2021 Washington Syrah Challenge
Abbey Page
Abeja
Adams Bench
Airfield Estates
Alder Ridge
Alexandria Nicole
Alternative Closures
aMaurice Cellars
Amavi
Ambassador
Ancestry
Ancient Lakes
Andrew Januik
Andrew Will
Anelare
Angel Vine
AntoLin
Apex Cellars
Ardor
Arlington Road Cellars
Array
Ash Hollow
Ashan
Auclair
Avennia
Baer Winery
Balboa
Barnard Griffin
Barons V
Barrage
Barrister
Beresan
Bergevin Lane
Betz Family Winery
Board Track Racer
Bonair Winery
Bookwalter
Boomtown
Boudreaux Cellars
Brian Carter
Bridgman
Bunchgrass Winery
Bunnell Family
Buried Cane
Buty
Cadaretta
Cadence
Cairdeas
Cana's Feast
Candy Mountain
Canoe Ridge
Canon del Sol
Cartel Wine Group
Cascade Valley Wineries
Castillo de Feliciana
Castle Rock Winery
Cave B
CAVU
Cayuse Vineyards
Cedergreen Cellars
Charles and Charles
Charles Smith Wines
Chateau Rollat
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Chelan Estate
Chelan Ridge
Chinook
City Limits
Cloudlift Cellars
Clubhouse Cellars
Co Dinn
Col Solare
College Cellars
Columbia Crest
Columbia Gorge
Columbia Winery
Concentric Wine Project
Cooper Wine Company
Corked Counter
Corked Wines
Corliss Estates
Corvidae
Corvus Cellars
Cote Bonneville
Cougar Crest
Covey Run
Covington Cellars
Crayelle Cellars
Cuneo Cellars
CZ Cellars
Darby
Daven Lore
DeLille
Delmas
Desert Wind
Distant Bay
DiStefano
Domaine Pouillon
Domaine Ste Michelle
Donedei
Double Canyon
Doubleback
Dowsett Family Winery
DuBrul Vineyard
Duck Pond Cellars
Duckhorn
Dumas Station
Dunham
Dusted Valley
Dynasty Cellars
Efeste
Eight Bells
El Corazon
Eliseo Silva
Elsom Cellars
Ensemble Cellars
Envious Cellars
Erath
Eritage
Estrin Estates
Eyrie
Fall Line
Falling Rain
Fidelitas Winery
Fielding Hills WInery
Figgins
Five Star Cellars
Fjellene
Flying Dreams
Flying Trout
For a Song
Force Majeure
Forgeron
Full Pull Wines
Furion Cellars
Gard Vintners
Giant Wine Co
Gifford-Hirlinger
Gilbert
Glencorrie
Goedhart
Golden Ridge
Goose Ridge
Gordon Brothers
Gorman
Gramercy Cellars
Grand Rêve
Grosgrain
Guardian
Hard Row
Harvest 2010
Harvest 2011
Harvest 2012
Harvest 2013
Harvest 2014
Harvest 2015
Harvest 2016
Harvest 2017
Harvest 2018
Harvest 2019
Harvest 2020
Hawks View
Haystack Needle
Heaven's Cave
Hedges Family Estate
Helix
Hestia Cellars
Hogue Cellars
Hoodsport
Hors Catégorie
Horse Heaven Hills
Horsepower Vineyards
Hyatt Vineyards
Idilico
Intrinsic
Isenhower Cellars
Jaine
Januik Winery
JB Neufeld
JM Cellars
Jones of Washington
Juliette's Dazzle
K Vintners
Kaella Winery
Kerloo
Kevin White
Kiona
Kontos Cellars
Kyra Wines
L'Ecole
Lake Chelan AVA
Lantz Cellars
Latitude 46 North
Laurelhurst Cellars
Lauren Ashton
Lawrelin
Leonetti Cellar
Liberty Bay Cellars
Liminal
Lobo Hills
Locati Cellars
Lodmell Cellars
Lone Birch
Lone Canary
Long Shadows
Lost River Winery
Magnificent Wine Company
Maison Bleue
Manu Propia
Mark Ryan Winery
Maryhill
McCrea Cellars
McKinley Springs
Mercer Estates
Merf
Michael Florentino
Milbrandt Vineyards
Modern Wine Project
Monesia's Song
Morrison Lane
Mosquito Fleet
Mountain Dome
Naches Heights
Naches Heights AVA
Napeequa Vintners
Native Sun
Nefarious
Nelms Road
Nicholas Cole Cellars
No Girls
Nodland
Northstar
Northwest Wine Round-up
Nota Bene
Novelty Hill
NW Totem Cellars
NW VIne Project
NxNW
Obelisco Estate
Olsen Estates
OS Winery
Otis Kenyon
Ott and Murphy
Owen Roe
Pacific Rim
Palencia
Palouse
Pamplin
Pandora
Parejas
Passion
Patterson
Paul Gregutt
Pendulum
Pepper Bridge
Phylloxera
Pic of the Vine
Plumb Cellars
Pomum Cellars
Pondera
Portteus
Pour Me
Powers
Proletariat Wine Company
Proper
Prospice
Puget Sound
Purple Star
Quilceda Creek
Ramseyer Vineyards
Randall Harris
Rasa Vineyards
Red Diamond
Red Mountain
Red Willow
Reininger
Renegade
Result of a Crush
Rex Hill
Reynvaan Family Vineyards
RiverAerie
Riverhaven Cellars
RMV Cellars
Robert Ramsay
Robison Ranch Cellars
Ross Andrew
Rotie
Royal Slope
Rulo Winery
Russell Creek WInery
Rusty Grape Vineyard
Ryan Messer
Ryan Patrick
Sageland Vineyards
Saint Laurent
Salida Wines
Salmon Harbor
San Juan Vineyards
Sandhill
Sapolil Cellars
Savage Grace
Saviah Cellars
Scarborough
Screwcaps
Seattle Area Wineries
Seufert
Seven Hills Winery
Shady Grove Winery
Sheridan
Silvara
Silver Bell
Silver Lake Winery
Sineann
Six Prong
Skylite Cellars
Sleight of Hand
Smasne Cellars
Snipes Gap Vineyards
Snipes Mountain
Snoqualmie
Sockeye
Sodovino
Sol Stone
somme de parties
sonoris
Soos Creek
Sparkman Cellars
Spindrift
Spokane Area
Spring Valley
Steele Wines
Stella Fino
Stevens Winery
Stomani Cellars
Stonecap
Stottle
SuLei Cellars
Sweet Valley Winery
Swiftwater
Syncline Cellars
Syrah
SYZYGY
Tagaris
Tamarack Cellars
Tefft
Tempus
Tenor Wines
Tero Estates
Terra Blanca Winery
The Burn of Columbia Valley
The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater
Three Rivers Winery
Thurston Wolfe
Tildio
Time & Direction
Townshend Cellar
Tranche
Treveri
Trust
Tulpen Cellars
Two Mountain
Two Vintners
Upland Estates
Va Piano Vineyards
Valdemar Estates
Viento Wines
Vin du Lac
Vinyl Wines
Virtual tasting
Virtue Cellars
W.T. Vintners
Wahluke Slope
Walla Walla Valley
Walla Walla Vintners
Walter Dacon
Washington Hills
Waterbrook
Waters
Waving Tree
White Bluffs
Whitestone
Whitman Cellars
William Church
Willow Crest
Wilridge Winery
Wind Rose Cellars
Wine Enthusiast
Wine Enthusiast Scores
WineGirl Wines
Wines of Substance
Woodhouse Wine Estates
Woodinville Wine Cellars
Woodinville WIneries
Woodward Canyon Winery
Yakima Valley
Yellow Hawk Cellar
Zerba Cellars
Zero One Vintners