56 wines reviewed below, including the latest from Baer, Balsall Creek, Devison, Dusted Valley, Echolands, Evolve, Five Arrow by Monson Ranch, Goose Ridge, Grosgrain, Lawrelin, LucidWild, Obelisco, Substance, Telaya, Tranche, Trisaetum, and Windhorse.

By this point, everyone in the wine world knows the high quality and distinctiveness of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Many are also becoming aware of how exceptional Willamette Valley Chardonnay is. Willamette Valley sparkling wines are surely next in line to receive greater recognition.

Luxury-priced sparkling wines have an exceptionally high bar to clear. Champagne has long-established itself as the world leader in this category. That means that similarly priced wines have to be 1) just as good as Champagne and 2) distinctive in their own right. Otherwise, why not just drink Champagne?

Willamette Valley sparkling wines, many of which employ the traditional method used in Champagne, easily pass both thresholds. Qualitatively, they can compete with Champagne. Willamette Valley sparkling wines have their own voice.

Personally, I’d be just as happy drinking any of the wines reviewed below from Willamette Valley as I would Champagne, and I love my Champagne. If you’re looking for the next wine bandwagon to jump on, I’m here to tell you it’s Willamette Valley sparkling wines.

The reviews below also include the 2024 Rhône-style wines from Walla Walla’s Devison Vintners. As before, Devison has firmly established itself in the upper echelon of wineries in Washington. (Read a previous feature article on Devison.) The Devison wines reviewed below are intense, achingly pure, and yet with an almost palpable energy. They are all well worth seeking out. Of note, Devison did not make its Boushey Grenache, Phantom Lamb Syrah, or Crow’s Feet Syrah in 2024 due to the January freeze event.

I can’t say enough good things about the wines from Woodinville’s Baer Winery. The wines always stand apart in tastings for their quality and distinctive style. The Baer wines are decadent and rich yet with the freshness and grace that Washington wines can bring.

Better still, the Baer wines remain accessibly priced, though not inexpensive. In an age when consumers are increasingly becoming priced out by many producers, Baer continues to deliver delicious wines at great prices. If you haven’t checked out Baer or it’s been a while, give them a look.

Finally, Goose Ridge is making some head-turning Rhône-style wines. Some of the wines reviewed below mark a significant leap in quality for the winery. Goose Gap is an appellation consumers and producers should explore.

Without further ado.

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At Northwest Wine Report, all scores come from blind tastings in varietal/style sets. Read more about this site’s process for rating and reviewing wines. See the Northwest Wine Report rating system and special designations. Read about how to interpret scores. See a list of recently reviewed producers.

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