Listening to the echoes of Walla Walla Valley’s Echolands
“I certainly don’t think the business of a winemaker is to add something to the fruit,” says Doug Frost. “The best you can do is to try and take what is given to you and Read more...
What changes at Ste. Michelle might mean for the Washington wine industry
Overlooking Washington's Columbia Valley Yesterday I wrote about Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE), the Northwest’s largest winery, informing its growers that it would be taking in 40% less fruit over the next five Read more...
Beyond categorization – Christophe Baron’s Bionic Wines
Christophe Baron, Hors Catégorie Vineyard © Andréa Johnson Photography “I've reached the pinnacle of my career in America,” says Christophe Baron. Baron, founder and vigneron at Bionic Wines, which includes Cayuse Vineyards, No Read more...
Interview: How Washington’s Browne Family has defied gravity
In 2003, Browne Family, part of Precept Wines, started out with a mere 100 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon. The label has since grown to more than 125,000 cases annually. Today, while many in the wine Read more...
Amos Rome sets the bar for white wines in Lake Chelan
The promise of Lake Chelan whites, realized From its first modern day vinifera plantings in 1998 – 25 years ago – it’s been clear that the Lake Chelan appellation could be special as a wine Read more...
Last Man Standing: Charles Sleicher of Associated Vintners
In the 1950s, a group of largely University of Washington (UW) professors, led by Lloyd S. Woodburne (1906-1992) – dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, began making wine at home. There would ultimately Read more...
David Rosenthal has made more Washington wine than most winemakers in the state combined
David Rosenthal spent over 20 years working at Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington’s largest winery, including seven as head white winemaker. Each year, Rosenthal made a staggering 3M cases of wine, more than almost all of Read more...
A look into Washington wine’s past and the promise of Ste. Michelle
Sometimes it is hard to imagine just how far Washington's wine industry has come over the last 50+ years. One bottle I recently had – a 1969 Cabernet Sauvignon from Ste. Michelle Vineyards – provides Read more...
The unassumingly delicious wines of Woodinville’s Esja
“Not every wine has to be big and jammy and bold,” says Esja owner and winemaker Tanya Bjornsson. “I think more and more people are leaning towards picking earlier.” Indeed, Bjornsson and her Esja wines Read more...
Willamette Valley and Columbia Basin winter and spring weather patterns
The following article was written by Michael Fagin. Fagin is an operational meteorologist providing weather forecasts to clients in the Pacific Northwest and providing custom forecast for groups climbing Mt. Everest and other major peaks. Fagin Read more...
