
Saving one of the best for last. What follows is a Focus Report on FIGGINS. Download a .pdf version of this report here. Read previous Focus Reports here.
“I believe in terroir,” winemaker Chris Figgins of Figgins Family Wine Estates says. “It’s where I spend my time and energy is thinking about vineyards and trying to express the site.”
Figgins comes from one of the first families of Washington wine. In 1974, Chris’ father Gary Figgins was working as a machinist at the Continental Can Company when he decided to plant an acre of Cabernet Sauvignon by the family home in Walla Walla. In 1977, he and his wife, Nancy, founded Leonetti Cellar.

Figgins comes from one of the first families of Washington wine. In 1974, Chris’ father Gary Figgins was working as a machinist at the Continental Can Company when he decided to plant an acre of Cabernet Sauvignon by the family home in Walla Walla. In 1977, he and his wife, Nancy, founded Leonetti Cellar.
Below is Part IV of a report from the Walla Walla Valley including wines from L’Ecole No 41, Woodward Canyon Winery, Abeja, K Vintners, Tero Estates, and Walla Walla Vintners. Read Part I here, Part II here, and Part III here.
L’Ecole No 41
It can sometimes be difficult for established wineries to garner the attention that the upstarts do. But there’s nothing like reintroducing yourself to your customers to change that.
2011 was a good year for L’Ecole No 41, one of Walla Walla Valley’s oldest and most highly regarded wineries. It included a successful label change, website redesign, and overall rebranding. The results have helped energize sales nationally and bring the winery additional attention. To cap things off, L’Ecole landed a spot on Wine Spectator’s annual top 100 list – at No 41 no less.
L’Ecole No 41
2011 was a good year for L’Ecole No 41, one of Walla Walla Valley’s oldest and most highly regarded wineries. It included a successful label change, website redesign, and overall rebranding. The results have helped energize sales nationally and bring the winery additional attention. To cap things off, L’Ecole landed a spot on Wine Spectator’s annual top 100 list – at No 41 no less.
Seattleites, turn on Q13 News at 5:30pm today when I’ll be talking about sparkling wines.
Well folks, 2011 is fast coming to a close, so it’s time to turn our attention to sparkling wines to help ring in the New Year.
Let me start by saying that if you’re not drinking sparkling wines year round, make this a New Year’s resolution. These wines are not just for special occasions. Imagine if people thought it was only appropriate to drink Cabernet on Valentine’s Day.

Let me start by saying that if you’re not drinking sparkling wines year round, make this a New Year’s resolution. These wines are not just for special occasions. Imagine if people thought it was only appropriate to drink Cabernet on Valentine’s Day.
Today as we begin to wind down the year, a look back at some of my personal favorite posts from each month this year.
January’s was a post on Washington wines in the spotlight at the Whitehouse.
February’s was a look at Woodinville’s JM Cellars.
March’s were about EFESTÄ’ and L’Ecole 41’s new label.
Two posts from April were looking at the Starbucks wine program and terms like super premium.
January’s was a post on Washington wines in the spotlight at the Whitehouse.
February’s was a look at Woodinville’s JM Cellars.
March’s were about EFESTÄ’ and L’Ecole 41’s new label.
Two posts from April were looking at the Starbucks wine program and terms like super premium.




Today’s Fresh Sheet, new and recent Washington wine releases, includes wines from Adams Bench, Kerloo Cellars, Obelisco Estate, Cave B Estate Winery, and Soos Creek Wine Cellars.
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from December 15th to 21st. Read previous round-ups here.
From around the country...
MSNBC writes about the best budget bottles with a callout to Chateau Ste. Michelle.
Knox News writes about wines for the holidays with a callout to Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Columbia Valley Riesling.
From around the country...
MSNBC writes about the best budget bottles with a callout to Chateau Ste. Michelle.
Knox News writes about wines for the holidays with a callout to Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Columbia Valley Riesling.







Today’s Fresh Sheet, new and recent Washington wine releases, includes wines from Cadence Winery, Rotie Cellars, DiStefano Winery, Kaella Winery, Aniche Cellars, Stella Fino Winery, Trust Cellars, and Fall Line Winery.

On December 12th Decanter published a 327-word article on the Pacific Northwest titled “Washington yields down, Oregon up as harvest finishes.” Decanter’s readers would have been best served if the article stopped there. Unfortunately, it does not.
Below is Part III of a report from the Walla Walla Valley including wines from Saviah Cellars, Tranche Cellars, Waters Winery, Amavi Cellars, Pepper Bridge, and Forgeron Cellars. Read a .pdf version of this report here. Read Part I here and Part II here.
Saviah Cellars
Winemaker Richard Funk at Saviah Cellars has a knack for making high quality wines at compelling price points. Funk, who started his winery in 2000 after working as an environmental health specialist, consistently crafts impeccably made wines all in an elegant style.
Saviah Cellars


In just a few short vintages, Reynvaan Family Vineyards has established itself as one of Washington’s finest wineries. The Reynvaan family established the winery in 2004, hiring Christophe Baron as consultant to help pick out vineyard sites, lay out the vineyards, and help get the winery started. Matt Reynvaan serves as winemaker.
Well folks, another Reader Survey – the fourth annual – has come and gone. I want to thank everyone who nominated wines this year and who voted in the survey. We had a great list of wines this year.
As I have written previously, my intention starting the Reader Survey four years ago was to hear about what Washington wines my readers thought were most exciting from the year gone by and what wines they were most excited about being released in the coming year. It was to get people talking about wines that excite them. That goal has remained.
As I have written previously, my intention starting the Reader Survey four years ago was to hear about what Washington wines my readers thought were most exciting from the year gone by and what wines they were most excited about being released in the coming year. It was to get people talking about wines that excite them. That goal has remained.
From around the world…
Decanter writes about the growing season in the Pacific Northwest.
From around the country…
Wine Spectator says watch out California, Washington is the Value King.
Decanter writes about the growing season in the Pacific Northwest.
From around the country…
Wine Spectator says watch out California, Washington is the Value King.

Naches Heights is situated in Yakima County, lying between the small towns of Naches and Tieton, northwest of the city of Yakima. A million year old andesite lava flow, originating from the Goat Rocks, formed the region.

Let there be no doubt that the holiday party wine of 2011 is the J Bookwalter Winery Bookmark Red Wine. This non-vintage blend is mostly Syrah along with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

If this were the case there would be a steady stream of stories in the Times counting the number of days since Executive Director Robin Pollard announced that she would be leaving with no successor in place. We would read stories about potential candidates coming and going from the office. Perhaps there would even be rumors of Commission staff members eating fried chicken and playing video games in the clubhouse during Taste Washington instead of rooting for their teammates on the field.*
But I digress.
Final voting for the 2011 Reader Survey has begun! Readers may vote for one of the finalists for 2011 Wine of the Year and one of the finalists for 2012 Wine to Watch. Please note that voting more than one time is not allowed, and I am monitoring the voting closely. Voting ends Friday 12/16.
To reiterate, all of these wines were reader nominated and finalists were selected by preliminary voting by readers (see below). The finalists this year - the top five vote getters - are, in alphabetical order:
To reiterate, all of these wines were reader nominated and finalists were selected by preliminary voting by readers (see below). The finalists this year - the top five vote getters - are, in alphabetical order:

First things first. The name. “One can say ‘shildnecht’ as though the ‘k’ were absent, and it's no big deal,” Schildknecht corresponded earlier this week. He reports, in case you haven’t heard this name before, that the world’s only concentrations of Schildknechts are in Switzerland and near Rotterdam where his ancestors are from.
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from December 1st to 7th. Read previous round-ups here.
The big story this week was the resignation of writer wine reviewer Jay Miller, who was responsible for covering Washington and Oregon as well as other areas, from The Wine Advocate. Read stories from WineBusiness.com, Decanter, San Francisco Chronicle, and the New York Times.
From around the country…
The San Francisco Chronicle gives its Top 100 Wines for 2011 with a callout to Pacific Rim, Amavi, Betz, Andrew Will, Barnard Griffin, Cadence, Gramercy, and Januik.
The Sacramento Bee writes about Alaska Airlines and the Walla Walla Wine Alliance teaming up.
The big story this week was the resignation of writer wine reviewer Jay Miller, who was responsible for covering Washington and Oregon as well as other areas, from The Wine Advocate. Read stories from WineBusiness.com, Decanter, San Francisco Chronicle, and the New York Times.
From around the country…
The San Francisco Chronicle gives its Top 100 Wines for 2011 with a callout to Pacific Rim, Amavi, Betz, Andrew Will, Barnard Griffin, Cadence, Gramercy, and Januik.
The Sacramento Bee writes about Alaska Airlines and the Walla Walla Wine Alliance teaming up.
Preliminary voting for the 2011 Reader Survey Wine of the Year and 2012 Wine to Watch has begun! Use the surveys on the right-hand side of the blog to vote for any three nominees in each category. Readers may only vote one time. Those receiving these posts via email, go to www.wawinereport.com to vote. Preliminary voting continues until 9pm on Sunday the 11th.

Domaine Ste. Michelle is Washington State’s sparkling wine leader, producing more than 300,000 cases of wine annually. More than half of this production is the Brut, the winery’s workhorse – and consistent standout.
As you might expect from the name, Domaine Ste. Michelle is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE). Domaine Ste. Michelle released its first sparkling wine in 1978 – a 1974 vintage dated Blanc de Noirs. In 1990 they added a Brut to the lineup, in 1991 a Blanc de Blancs, and in 1993 the Extra Dry.
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from November 22nd to 30th. Read previous round-ups here.
From around the country…
San Francisco Chronicle writes about Washington Syrah.
From the blogosphere…
Winophilia writes about standout whites from Washington.
Salud writes about Washington wine.
From around the country…
San Francisco Chronicle writes about Washington Syrah.
From the blogosphere…
Winophilia writes about standout whites from Washington.
Salud writes about Washington wine.
Well, it’s that time of year again. Time to pick the 2011 Reader Survey Wine of the Year and 2012 Wine to Watch!
The Reader Survey Wine of the Year is intended for the one Washington wine in 2011 that stood out among all those you tasted. The 2012 Wine to Watch is for a pre-release wine you tasted that will be released in 2012 that you believe will be exceptional.
Here is how it works.
The Reader Survey Wine of the Year is intended for the one Washington wine in 2011 that stood out among all those you tasted. The 2012 Wine to Watch is for a pre-release wine you tasted that will be released in 2012 that you believe will be exceptional.
Here is how it works.

Bloggers love to rail against the injustice of the 100-point system. We rail against the so-called Parkerization of wine. We rail against Parker’s influence. We rail against him for any one of a thousand reasons.

Enjoy!
Below is a summary of posts for November 2011.
Summary of Posts for October 2011
Washington Wine Round-up October 22nd to 31st 2011
How Initiative 1183 Would Negatively Impact Small Wineries, Distributors, and Retailers
Summary of Posts for October 2011
Washington Wine Round-up October 22nd to 31st 2011
How Initiative 1183 Would Negatively Impact Small Wineries, Distributors, and Retailers
November's Virtual Tasting takes place tonight 7-8pm Pacific. Read about how to participate here.






Today’s Fresh Sheet – new and recent Washington wine releases – includes wines from Hard Row to Hoe, Mannina, :Nota Bene, Ash Hollow, Long Shadows, and Owen Roe.





Today’s Fresh Sheet – new and recent Washington wine releases – includes wines from Hard Row to Hoe, Mannina, :Nota Bene, Ash Hollow, Long Shadows, and Owen Roe.
In this month’s Five Wines Under $15, we take a look at Washington Pinot Gris with a cyber special 2:1 wine list. Read previous Five Under $15s here.









Scan the wine and grocery store shelves and you will find a good selection of Oregon Pinot Gris. You might be surprised then to hear that Washington makes more Pinot Gris than Oregon. In fact, Pinot Gris is Washington’s third most planted white grape at over 1,500 acres. The obvious question then is, where are all the wines?









Scan the wine and grocery store shelves and you will find a good selection of Oregon Pinot Gris. You might be surprised then to hear that Washington makes more Pinot Gris than Oregon. In fact, Pinot Gris is Washington’s third most planted white grape at over 1,500 acres. The obvious question then is, where are all the wines?
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from November 15th to 21st. Read previous round-ups here.
From around the country…
Top winemakers take up the Tofurkey challenge, including Jean Francois Pellet of Amavi Cellars and Pepperbridge.
Houston Press recommends Pacific Rim Riesling for Thanksgiving.
Business Insider writes about Thanksgiving wines with a callout to Snoqualmie’s Naked Riesling.
From around the country…
Top winemakers take up the Tofurkey challenge, including Jean Francois Pellet of Amavi Cellars and Pepperbridge.
Houston Press recommends Pacific Rim Riesling for Thanksgiving.
Business Insider writes about Thanksgiving wines with a callout to Snoqualmie’s Naked Riesling.

The highest ranking Washington wine was the 2008 Baer Ursa, which came in at number 6. This is the first time that a wine from Woodinville’s Baer Winery has been listed in Wine Spectator’s Top 100, an affirmation of the winery’s path since the tragic passing of Lance Baer in 2007.
Popular Posts
-
Today Kiona Vineyards, one of the largest growers on Red Mountain, announced the hiring of Matt Halldorson as viticulturalist. He will ove...
-
In 2020, I reviewed nearly 1,300 Washington wines for Wine Enthusiast magazine. Below are the forty wines that stood out the most. Note tha...
-
Marty Taucher knew they had something special when winemaker Chris Peterson first tasted him on the inaugural Liminal Grenache from barrel...
-
Below are my Wine Enthusiast reviews for August 2020. Wines are listed alphabetically by winery. Read information on how I review wines h...

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.


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
Matthews Estate
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

Blog Archive
-
▼
2011
(233)
-
▼
December
(30)
- A look back at 2011 in Washington wine
- FIGGINS - A Family With a Storied Past and a Brigh...
- Walla Walla Valley Report 2011 Part IV
- Seventeen Sparkling Wines to Help Ring in the New ...
- Best of Washington Wine Report 2011
- Fresh Sheet December 27th 2011
- Washington Wine Round-up December 15th to 21st 2011
- Happy Holidays!
- Five Wines Under $15 - December 2011
- Fresh Sheet December 22nd 2011
- Hey Decanter: Cover the Pacific Northwest Seriousl...
- Walla Walla Valley Report 2011 Part III
- Reader Survey 2012 Wine to Watch: Reynvaan Family ...
- 4th Annual Reader Survey: And the winners are…
- Washington Wine Round-up December 8th to 14th 2011
- An In-Depth Look at the New Naches Heights AVA
- Holiday Party Wines that Bring the Thunder
- How to Turn a Cork into a Christmas Ornament in Si...
- Washington Wine Commission Searches for New Execut...
- Final voting begins for the 2011 Reader Survey!
- What will Wine Advocate critic David Schildknecht ...
- Washington Wine Round-up December 1st to 7th 2011
- Preliminary Voting Begins! Reader Survey 2011 Wine...
- Domaine Ste. Michelle Sparkles
- Washington Wine Round-up November 22nd to 30th 2011
- 4th Annual Reader Survey for 2011 Wine of the Year...
- Walla Walla Valley 2011 Holiday Barrel Tasting Primer
- ENOUGH about Robert Parker!
- Old school! Recent print articles
- Summary of Posts for November 2011
-
▼
December
(30)
