The Wine Knows

Hey Everyone!

Just a quick shout out and congratulations to several Washington (and one WA/ORE) winery for some high profile praise from Wine & Spirits Magazine!

Under the heading of "Best New Wineries", which seems to mean wineries founded in the last 10 years (!), recognition was given to Amavi and Jean-Francois Pellet, Cadence and Ben Smith, Eroica and Chateau Ste. Michelle / Dr. Loosen, K Vintners and Charles Smith, and Robert Karl and Joe and Rebecca Gunselman.

Recognition was also given to Christophe Baron and Cayuse for being a leader in natural and biodynamic wines. In addition, Christophe was lauded under "Best New Vineyards" for his Cailloux Vineyard.

One other interesting area mention was under "Best Emerging Regions", where the Columbia Gorge was featured among other world wide wine growing regions.

There were a few other Washington State items in the magazine, such as riesling being a great "rediscovered" varietal, with Paciic Rim and the CSM/Dr. Loosen Eroica collaboration being prominently mentioned.

All in all, it was a pretty interesting issue, although I still wonder about calling 10 year old wineries "new" considering the relative youth of the Washington wine industry! I am sure if Andy and Eric had written the articles the parameters would have been different, but I suppose they have their own forum to make their case.

Cheers!
Tim