Taste Washington is coming up later this month, with a series of events March 19th through 22nd. I’ll highlight some of those events here.

Saturday the 21st starts off with The Seminars from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the King Street Ballroom at Embassy Suites Pioneer Square. Since 2013, I have had the privilege of assisting the Washington Wine Commission with developing these seminars. This year’s lineup includes:

The Shape of Syrah: From Rocks to Red Mountain (moderated by Kyle MacLachlan, Pursued by Bear)

The Wines That Inspired Us: A Comparative Tasting (moderated by Ray Isle, Food & Wine magazine)

The Fresh Factor: Brightness in Washington wine (moderated by Maryam Ahmed)

The lineup of panelists and wines is exceptional. See the full details here.

The Grand Tasting takes place Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd at Lumen Field Event Center. It will feature 200 Washington wineries and 75 west coast restaurants.

Below, as in previous years, I have selected 20(ish) wines to seek out at the Grand Tasting. These selections are based on two things.

The first is recent tastings. The second is interesting, newly released wines that I have not tasted yet. The list is thus a mixture of exceptional wines and exploration. Please note that wineries did not provide information about the vintage of the wine that they would be pouring.

Before we get to the list, though, for anyone attending the Grand Tasting, please remember, Taste Washington is a tasting event. It is not a drinking event.

I highly recommend that you use the spit and dump buckets liberally. I also (very) strongly encourage everyone to take public transportation or rideshare services to and from the event. Even when spitting wine, alcohol accumulates.

Enjoy and be safe!

NB: Some wineries are pouring different wines on Saturday and Sunday. As a result, I have picked different wines each day in some cases.

Avennia

On Saturday, check out the Avennia Boushey Vineyard Arnaut Syrah Yakima Valley. It’s one of the winery’s best offerings of this wine from one of the state’s top Syrah sites. Sunday, enjoy the Liminal Barbarous Heart Columbia Valley for a look at WeatherEye Vineyard. 

Bartholomew

Bartholomew, located in the Tri-Cities, loves to explore. Saturday try the Bartholomew Malvasia Bianca Columbia Valley, an unusual variety for Washington. Sunday, check out the Bartholomew Negro Amaro/Primitivo Blend Columbia Valley.

Cadence

Cadence consistently makes some of Washington’s highest quality wines, with a focus on structure and class. All of the Cadence wines are noteworthy, but the Cadence Cara Mia Vineyard Bel Canto Red Mountain, a Cabernet Franc-driven wine, is not to be missed.

Cairdeas

Hailing from the Lake Chelan area, Cairdeas focuses on Rhône-style blends. One standout example is the Cairdeas Caisleán an Pápa Yakima Valley. It’s the winery’s take on a Châteauneuf-du-Pape-style of wine, full of rich fruit flavors.

Cor/Ago

Feel like talking a walk on the wild side? Try the Ago Tocai Friulano Columbia Gorge. This is one of the few examples of this grape being produced in Washington.

Devium

Devium is exploring the outer reaches of what is possible in the Columbia Valley. The results are some of the most distinctive wines from Washington. Try the Devium French Creek Vineyard Red Wine Yakima Valley.

Eight Bells

Urban winery Eight Bells recently moved from the Ravenna area of Seattle to Lake City. The Eight Bells 8 Clones Syrah Yakima Valley is likely the only wine in Washington using such a wide assortment of clones. That only matters, of course, if it’s delicious. It is.

Force Majeure

The Force Majeure Estate Syrah Walla Walla Valley comes from a vineyard that sits at the edge of the Rocks District. It shows the variations in style that can come from such a small area, bringing intensity and richness instead of the earthy/savoriness for which the surrounding area is known.

Grosgrain

A Walla Walla Valley designated sparkling wine? You bet. The winery will be pouring its Grosgrain Alderbanks Vineyard Blanc de Noirs Walla Walla Valley this year at Taste.

Hoquetus Wine Co.

This is another excellent opportunity for some exploration. The Hoquetus Mencia Columbia Valley is a rare example of this variety in the Northwest, though the number is increasing.

Itä

Do try the entire lineup at Itä, but if you’re only going to try one wine, make it the Itä Weinbau Vineyard Cabernet Franc Wahluke Slope. It’s such a pretty look at this variety and site, clocking in at a lower alcohol level and with no new oak impact.

Klipsun

Klipsun is one of the oldest vineyards on Red Mountain. The vineyard is now owned by Terlato Wine Group. While Klipsun continues to sell fruit, there are also estate wines. Check out the Klipsun Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain.

Lawrelin

Lawrelin is unique in the Northwest in that the winery holds onto its wines for an exceptionally long time prior to release. In this regard, the winery has done all the aging work for you, and the wines are in full bloom. Try the Lawrelin Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley.

Massalto

Massalto is a project from Matías Kúsulas and Michael Ruhland and is making some absolutely thrilling wines. On Saturday, check out the Massalto Extravaganza Cinsault Royal Slope. Sunday, enjoy the Point of No Return Grenache Royal Slope.

Reali

Reali is a new winery releasing its first red wines. The wines are made by Serge Laville, former long-time winemaker at Spring Valley Vineyard. The inaugural reds from Reali could not be more impressive. Check out the Reali Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, it’s all about class and restraint.

Samā

Viognier is an exceptionally difficult variety to get right. The Samā Viognier Red Willow Vineyard Yakima Valley delivers the variety’s bright aromatics and full-bodied flavors while retaining balance and freshness.

Saviah

There are never any misses in Saviah’s lineup, but if you’re a lover of Rocks District Syrah or just want to see what all the fuss is about, try the Saviah The Funk Estate Syrah Walla Walla Valley. It’s full of earthy, savory goodness.

Syncline

Looking for a light, bright, acid-driven white wine? Syncline has just the thing. Seek out the Syncline Picpoul Yakima Valley. Syncline was my 2025 Winery of the Year. The whole lineup is exceptional.

Time & Direction

I wrote a recent feature article about Time & Direction. Now’s your chance to try the wines. Give a look to the Time & Direction Old School Syrah Royal Slope.

Trothe

Trothe is a (relatively) new luxury Cabernet Sauvignon project that I wrote a feature article about while back. The Horse Heaven Hills is one of the best places in the world to grow Cabernet Sauvignon. Don’t believe me? Try the Trothe Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills.

BONUS WINES: A Vermentino Tour

A number of wineries are releasing Vermentinos this spring. These are some of the first varietal bottles of Vermentino to be produced in the state. Three of them will be poured at Taste Washington. I have not tried any of them yet, but now’s your chance!

Balboa Vermentino Walla Walla Valley

Callan Vermentino Columbia Valley

Gård Vermentino Royal Slope

* * *

That’s it! Have a great Taste Washington! Please let me know what you find.

To receive notifications about new articles via email, click here.

Do you enjoy Northwest Wine Report? If you do and haven’t already, please subscribe. Northwest Wine Report is 100% subscriber funded. To those who have subscribed, thank you! You power this site.

SUBSCRIBE