Sean P. Sullivan's Northwest Wine Report

A round-up of last week's articles on Washington wine.


From around the country…

By far the biggest story of the week, which was picked up by, um everyone, was the story of vineyards in Yakima being converted to grow marijuana plants. Perhaps Amsterdam-style “coffee shops” will sit alongside tasting rooms in the future.

From Bryn Mawr comes a story on research by a pair of geology students on Walla Walla and Red Mountain terroir.

In Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Journal Gazette briefly mentions Paul Gregutt’s recent book on Washington wine.

In San Jose, an article on Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Riesling Rendezvous in the Mercury News.

The Memphis Flyer writes an article on Bunnell Family Cellars.


From around the world…

From China, an article on distribution of Washington wine in Asia.


From the blogosphere:

Tavola Rosso writes about Mark Ryan McNeilly and Chris Gorman’s Elle 2006. This wine, along with the 2006 Sinner’s Punch were Paul Gregutt’s “Picks of the Week” last week. See my review of these two wines here.

Our friends at Wine Peeps write about a weekend in the Columbia Valley with callouts to Alexandria Nicole, Barnard Griffin, Columbia Crest, Fidelitas, and Gilbert. The also review a set of Washington Syrah, including Fielding Hills, Waters, Dunham, Stephenson, Mark Ryan, and Dusted Valley.

Going for Seconds does a tasting with Steve Tanzer. Tanzer has callouts to Gramercy, Long Shadows, Trust, and Va Piano. More on this in a post yesterday.

A writeup of a trip to Yakima valley from Lundestyle.

Hip2wine checks out Long Shadows and other Walla Walla wineries with callouts to aMaurice, Tamarack, Five Star, Hence, and Ash Hollow. He also checks out Red Mountain’s Col Solare.

Dailywinetasting reviews Tamarack’s 2006 Firehouse Red.

The Wine Commentator checks out Doyenne’s and McCrea’s Roussanne’s.

Beyond the Bottle lists recommended Washington wineries.

Brightcove.tv does a feature on Walla Walla’s Sapolil Cellars.

Crosscut reports on wine importer Terry Thiese’s swipe at Washington Riesling.

Wine Press Northwest discusses who would be considered the “first growths” in Washington and recent progress on creating a Lake Chelan AVA and potential complications that may result.


From the locals:

Oregon’s Statesman Journal writes up a recent trip to Walla Walla with callouts to Pepper Bridge, Trust, Chateau Rollat, Zerba, Saviah, Beresan, and Balboa.