Eric Degerman

USA, Washington, Woodinville. Harvest 2020

Northwest Wine: Eye of the Needle Winery closes in Woodinville

After 10 years, owners Bob and Lauren Bullock shut down their Warehouse District operation on Feb. 28.

 

Rob Mercer, the Honorary Grower for the 2020 Auction of Washington Wines, capped the year with news that the Mercer Bros. 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon made Wine Spectator magazine’s Top 100 Wines for 2020. (Auction of Washington Wines)

Oregon and Washington combine for 10 on Spectator’s Top 100

The Northwest is responsible for 10% of the list. A year ago, the region placed a total of seven wines.

 

Precept Wine, the largest privately-owned wine company in Washington, recruited Seattle native Sarah Cabot to take over its pinot noir production in Oregon’s Willamette Valley in 2014. (Precept Wine)

Six examples of award-winning pinot noir in the Northwest

The Willamette Valley of Oregon has a reputation for the red wine, but there are other success stories in the area.

 

Ryan Harms and his blue heeler, Luke, walk the rows at historic Amity Vineyard. Harms and Union Wine Co., purchased the property from Oregon iconoclast Myron Redford in 2014. Redford made his first wine — which he dubbed Pinot Noir Nouveau — in 1976. (Union Wine Co.)

Add these Northwest wines to your holiday dinner table

Buy a few bottles during “cyber week” and have them shipped to loved ones as a delicious seasonal greeting.

Ryan Harms and his blue heeler, Luke, walk the rows at historic Amity Vineyard. Harms and Union Wine Co., purchased the property from Oregon iconoclast Myron Redford in 2014. Redford made his first wine — which he dubbed Pinot Noir Nouveau — in 1976. (Union Wine Co.)
USA, Washington, Walla Walla. Harvest 2019, Armstrong Family Winery.

Syrah by Armstrong winery in Woodinville tops Invite contest

The 2016 The Scotsman Syrah was named Best of Show at the Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition.

USA, Washington, Walla Walla. Harvest 2019, Armstrong Family Winery.
USA, Washington, Woodinville. Brian Carter Cellars.

Region’s fortified wines provide sweet warmth on chilly nights

They’re an ideal companion with a fireplace nearby, a plate of hazelnuts and Stilton cheese within reach.

USA, Washington, Woodinville. Brian Carter Cellars.
Katie Nelson is the senior director of winemaking for Columbia Crest and head winemaker for H3 Wines in Paterson, Wash. (Ste. Michelle Wine Estates)

A $15 cab finishes atop Washington State Wine Competition

It should be easy to track down a bottle of Columbia Crest 2016 H3 Cabernet Sauvignon and judge for yourself.

Katie Nelson is the senior director of winemaking for Columbia Crest and head winemaker for H3 Wines in Paterson, Wash. (Ste. Michelle Wine Estates)
Stillwater Creek Vineyard on the Royal Slope looks across at the Saddle Mountains in Washington’s Columbia Basin. (Richard Duval Images)

Royal Slope becomes state’s 15th American Viticultural Area

The area’s elevation and climate make it suitable for growing many varieties of grapes.

Stillwater Creek Vineyard on the Royal Slope looks across at the Saddle Mountains in Washington’s Columbia Basin. (Richard Duval Images)
Amy Alvarez-Wampfler, co-winemaker at Abeja in Walla Walla, Wash., was in charge of 10,000 barrels of Chardonnay during her time at Columbia Crest. (Photo courtesy of Abeja)

This month, raise a toast to region’s Hispanic winemakers

From fields to tasting rooms, they play a vitally important role in the Northwest wine industry.

Amy Alvarez-Wampfler, co-winemaker at Abeja in Walla Walla, Wash., was in charge of 10,000 barrels of Chardonnay during her time at Columbia Crest. (Photo courtesy of Abeja)
Elephant Seven uses grenache to win Walla Walla wine contest

Elephant Seven uses grenache to win Walla Walla wine contest

The prize-winning grenache sells for $30 a bottle — a bargain in the world of high-end wine.

Elephant Seven uses grenache to win Walla Walla wine contest
Spanish wine grape takes well to Idaho’s Snake River Valley

Spanish wine grape takes well to Idaho’s Snake River Valley

Williamson Vineyards’ 2019 Albariño takes Best of Show out of 160 entries at the 2020 Idaho Wine Competition.

Spanish wine grape takes well to Idaho’s Snake River Valley
Tim and Kelly Hightower own, operate and share the winemaking duties at Hightower Cellars on Red Mountain. With them is their dog Riley. (Richard Duval Images)

Merlot a workhorse grape that merits acclaim in the Northwest

Wines featuring this red Bordeaux vareity are crafted for the cellar and meant to be cherished over time.

Tim and Kelly Hightower own, operate and share the winemaking duties at Hightower Cellars on Red Mountain. With them is their dog Riley. (Richard Duval Images)
Chateau Ste. Michelle celebrates 20 years of Eroica Riesling

Chateau Ste. Michelle celebrates 20 years of Eroica Riesling

It’s a style that is neither dry nor sweet — a riesling that everyone can enjoy with food or drink on its own.

Chateau Ste. Michelle celebrates 20 years of Eroica Riesling
The Washington State Wine Commission is using August, known for decades as Washington Wine Month, to promote the Drink For WA campaign. The commission estimates it will generate 12 million impressions through advertising and social media channels. (Photo courtesy Washington State Wine Commission)

Washington wine commission rolls out Drink for WA campaign

Share an image of your special occasion along with tags of #DrinkForWA and #EatForWA.

The Washington State Wine Commission is using August, known for decades as Washington Wine Month, to promote the Drink For WA campaign. The commission estimates it will generate 12 million impressions through advertising and social media channels. (Photo courtesy Washington State Wine Commission)
USA, Washington, Royal Slope. Glamping at Stillwater Creek vineyard

Northwest’s sauvignon blanc offers summertime refreshment

This white wine is ideal alongside grilled chicken, sushi or poached white fish, lentils and green vegetables.

USA, Washington, Royal Slope. Glamping at Stillwater Creek vineyard
The field of Northwest rose grows with delicious variety

The field of Northwest rose grows with delicious variety

Increased thirst for this style of wine has prompted winemakers to offer multiple expressions from the same vintage.

The field of Northwest rose grows with delicious variety
Lone Star Vineyard is a 112-acre site established in 1996 in the Eola-Amity Hills by Argyle Winery, a historic producer in Dundee, Ore. (Photo courtesy of Argyle Winery)

Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills continues its rise with pinot noir

The AVA’s key features include cool ocean breezes that blow through a slot in the Coast Range.

Lone Star Vineyard is a 112-acre site established in 1996 in the Eola-Amity Hills by Argyle Winery, a historic producer in Dundee, Ore. (Photo courtesy of Argyle Winery)
Pinot gris continues to merit gold medals for Northwest wine

Pinot gris continues to merit gold medals for Northwest wine

The Cascadia wine competition proves the Burgundy white grape is just as worthy of attention as ever.

Pinot gris continues to merit gold medals for Northwest wine
Wild Goose in British Columbia tops Cascadia judging again

Wild Goose in British Columbia tops Cascadia judging again

It’s the third time in four years that the winery topped the annual showcase of Pacific Northwest wines.

Wild Goose in British Columbia tops Cascadia judging again
Food-friendly malbec a rising star in region’s wine industry

Food-friendly malbec a rising star in region’s wine industry

This Bordeaux variety was the fourth-most harvested red grape in Washington during the 2019 vintage.

Food-friendly malbec a rising star in region’s wine industry