The Wine Knows

A Walla Walla winery took home top honors at the 30th anniversary Tri-Cities Wine Festival on Saturday night at the Red Lion in Pasco, Wash.

The Russell Creek 2005 Winemaker Select Syrah was chosen as best of show in the annual competition, which this year drew a record 328 wines.

The judges for this year's competition were Wilfred Wong of Beverages & More, a large retailer based in the San Francisco area; Jim Harbertson, a professor at WSU's research station in Prosser; Dan Berger, an international wine judge from Santa Rosa, Calif.; Keith Brown, vice president of Vincor, a wine company based in Ontario, Canada; and Eric Degerman, managing editor of Wine Press Northwest, a Tri-City-based wine magazine. Richard Larsen, a plant pathologist for WSU, was the silent judge.

The competition was held over three days this week, and the results were revealed at Saturday night's public tasting.

Tagaris Winery in Richland also showed especially well, with two wines earning unanimous double gold medals for winemaker Frank Roth. Columbia Crest in Paterson, Hightower Cellars on Red Mountain, Saint Laurent near Wenatchee and Airfield Estates in Prosser won "best of category" awards.

Best of show

Russell Creek 2005 Winemaker Select Syrah

Double gold

Tagaris Winery 2006 Malbec Estate Grown Single Vineyard; Tagaris Winery 2006 Mourvedre Estate Grown Single Vineyard.

Gold/Best of category

Columbia Crest 2005 Walter Clore Private Reserve Red; Hightower Cellars 2006 Merlot; Saint Laurent Estate Winery 2007 Riesling Mrachek Estate Vineyards; Airfield Estates 2007 Unoaked Chardonnay, Estate Grown.

Gold

Erath Winery 2006 Pinot Blanc; Barrister Winery NV Rough Justice; Skylite Cellars 2005 Big Red Hiney; Jones of Washington 2006 Sangiovese; Northstar Winery 2005 Merlot; Apex Cellars 2005 Apex II Merlot; Jones of Washington 2006 Merlot; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Riesling; Biodynamic Wallula Vineyard; Willow Crest 2007 Riesling Estate Grown; Chateau Ste Michelle 2007 Eroica Riesling; Martinez & Martinez Winery 2005 Cesar Red Wine; Anelare 2006 2006 Anelard "Nonna Viola" Red Wine; Brian Carter Cellars 2005 Byzance; Jones of Washington 2006 Jones Estate Barrel Select Red; Rock Meadows Cellars 2006 Rockin' Red; Saint Laurnet Estate Winery 2005 LaBoheme Reserve Estate Grown; Tsillan Cellars Winery 2006 Columbia Valley Bellissima Rossa; Willow Crest 2005 XIII Rhone Blend; Rock Meadows Cellars 2006 Cabernet Franc; Pend d'Oreille Winery 2005 Cab FrancWeibeau Vineyard; Teft Cellars 2007 Black Ice; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2007 Ice Wine Yakima Valley; Ste. Chapelle 2006 Riesling Ice Wine; Hoodsport Winery NV Raspberry; Kestrel Vintners NV Pure Platinum 4th Edition; Tsillan Cellars Winery 2006 Syrah Estate; Jones of Washington 2006 Syrah; Olsen Estates 2006 Syrah Estate Grown; Milbrandt Vineyards 2005 Syrah Legacy; Hard Row to Hoe 2006 Syrah; Trio Vintners 2005 Syrah; Stephenson Cellars 2006 Syrah; Domaine Ste Michelle NV Blanc de Blanc; Willow Crest 2007 Pinot Gris Estate Grown.

Silver
Mercer Estates 2007 Pinot Gris Mercer Estate; Vin du Lac Winery NV Estate Grown Lehm Rose; Yakima Valley Vintners 2007 Teacher's Pet Rose; Stella Fino Winery 2005 Barbera Columbia Valley; Kestrel Vintners 2007 Estate Malbec 2005; Harbinger Winery 2006 Petite Syrah; Airfield Estates 2007 Tempranillo Estate Grown; Wood River Cellars 2005 Meritage; Saint Laurnet Estate Winery 2006 Lucky Red Estate Vineyards; Cold Springs Winery 2006 Hot Rod Red; Coyote Canyon 2006 Tres Cruces Red; Gordon Brothers Cellars, Inc. 2006 Kamiak Cellars Select Red; Pend d'Oreille Winery 2006 Bistro Red; Meek Family Estate 2004 WJ Meek Red; Plaza Socievole Winery 2006 Renaissance Red; Snoqualmie Vineyards 2006 Whistle Stop Red; Vin du Lac Winery 2007 Lehm Sauvignon Blanc Estate Grown; Maryhill Winery 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Classic; Mercer Estates 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Mercer Estate; Coyote Canyon 2007 Viognier; Erath Winery 2006 Estate Selection Pinot Noir; Willamette Valley Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir Tualatin Estate Vineyard; Wy 'East Vineyards 2005 Pinot Noir Blue Chip; Erath Winery 2006 Prince Hill vineyard Pinot Noir; Claar Cellars 2006 Sangiovese Estate Bottled & Grown; Coyote Canyon 2004 H/H Reserve Sangiovese; Mount Baker Vineyards 2006 Sangiovese Barrel Select; Waving Tree Winery 2007 Sangiovese Estate; Chandler Reach 2005 Merlot; Preston Premium Wines 2006 Merlot Estate Grown, Preston Premium Wines; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2002 Merlot Estate Bottled Reserve; Silver Lake Winery 2006 Merlot; Lost River Winery 2005 Merlot; Milbrandt Vineyards 2005 Legacy Merlot; Chateau Ste Michelle 2005 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot; Robert Karl Cellars 2006 Merlot; Hinzerling Winery NV Rainy Day Fine; Hinzerling Winery NV Crème de La; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2006 Dry Riesling; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2007 Dry Riesling Estate Bottled; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Riesling Wallula Vineyard; Jones of Washington 2007 Riesling Wahluke Slope; Olsen Estates 2007 Riesling Estate Grown; RockWall Cellars 2007 RockWall Cellars Reisling; Russell Creek 2006 Tributary Red Blend; Wood River Cellars 2006 Cabernet Malbec; Kestrel Vintners NV Lady in Red 3rd Holiday Edition; Airfield Estates 2007 Mustang, Estate Grown; Chateau Ste Michelle 2005 Artist Series Meritage; Five Star Cellars 2005 Reserve Stellar; Four Lakes Chelan 2005 Trinity; Brian Carter Cellars 2004 Solesce; Tsillan Cellars Winery 2006 Columbia Valley Sinistra; Tsillan Cellars Winery 2006 Columbia Valley Piccolo Rosso; Plaza Socievole Winery 2006 Jove Red; Brian Carter Cellars 2005 Tuttorosso; Harbinger Winery 2005 A' Point Winemakers Reserve Sagemoor Farms; San Juan Vineyards 2007 Madeline Angevine Estate Grown; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Chenin Blanc; Tsillan Cellars Winery 2007 Gewurztraminer Estate Reserve; Northwest Wine Academy 2006 Cabernet Franc; Le Chateau 2006 Cabernet Franc; Robert Karl Cellars 2006 Robert Karl Cellars Cabernet Franc; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Sweet Riesling; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2007 Late Harvest Riesling; Five Star Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; Canyon's Edge Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Alder Creek Vineyard; Rock Meadows Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; Chateau Ste Michelle 2007 Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon; Barnard Griffin 2006 TL Cabernet; Hightower Cellars 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon; Jones of Washington 2006 Jack's Reserve; Oakwood Cellars LLC 2002 Cabernet Ssauvignon; Pend d'Oreille Winery 2005 Cabernet SauvignonSagemoor Farms; Robert Karl Cellars 2005 Robert Karl Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon; Saint Laurnet Estate Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Vineyards; Canyon's Edge Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve; Saint Laurnet Estate Winery 2007 Lucky White Blend Mrachek Estate Vineyards Estate Bottled; Northwest Wine Academy 2007 Chardonnay Barrel Fermented; Silver Lake Winery 2007 Chardonnay; Northwest Wine Academy 2007 Chardonnay Unoaked; Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 Chardonnay Legacy; Saint Laurnet Estate Winery 2007 Chardonnay Estate Vineyards & Estate Bottled; Vin du Lac Winery 2006 Red Café Syrah Barrel Select; Glen Fiona 2005 Syrah; Pend d'Oreille Winery 2005 Syrah Willow Crest Vineyards and Pleasant Vineyards; Saint Laurnet Estate Winery 2005 Syrah Mrachek Estate Vineyards; Skylite Cellars 2005 Syrah; Domaine Ste Michelle NV Cuvee Brut Methode Chanpenoise; Domaine Ste Michelle NV Blanc de Noir ; Maryhill Winery 2007 Pinot Gris Classic.

Bronze

Wy'East Vineyards 2007 Pinot Gris; Harbinger Winery 2005 Lemberger Rose, Dry; The Hogue Cellars 2007 RoseTerroir ; Waving Tree Winery 2005 Grenache Estate; Waving Tree Winery 2005 Nebbiolo Coyote Canyon Vineyards; Canyon's Edge Winery NV Sage Brush Red Estate, Alder Creek Vineyard; Maryhill Winery 2007 Winemaker's Red; Stephenson Cellars NV Red Wine; Gordon Brothers Cellars, Inc. 2007 Estate Grown Sauvignon Blanc; Coyote Canyon 2004 Sangiovese; Stella Fino Winery 2005 Sangioese Walla Walla Valley; The Hogue Cellars 2004 Terrior Sangiovese; Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 Merlot Tradition; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2005 Merlot; Glen Fiona 2004 Merlot; Five Star Cellars 2006 Merlot; Barnard Griffin 2006 Tulip Label Merlot; Samson Estates Winery 2004 Merlot; Columbia Crest 2005 Reserve Merlot; Northwest Wine Academy 2006 Merlot; JLC Winery, Spofford Station 2004 Merlot Estate Grown ; College Cellars of Wall Walla 2006 Merlot; RockWall Cellars 2007 Foch Lore; San Juan Vineyards 2007 Riesling Smasne Vineyard; RockWall Cellars 2007 To Di For Rhapsody; Mercer Estates 2007 Riesling Mercer Estate; Tsillan Cellars Winery 2007 Riesling Estate; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2007 Riesling; Tasawik Vineyards 2005 Reserve Walla Walla County; Brian Carter Cellars 2005 L'Etalon; Hard Row to Hoe 2006 Mis de Miner Red ; Le Chateau 2005 Castle Red; Lost River Winery 2006 Cedarosa; Nodland Cellars 2005 Private Blend Red; Windy Point Vineyards 2005 Exclaimation Point Estate Bottled Red; Spring Valley Vineyard 2006 Uriah Red; Tagaris Winery 2006 Boar Doe Estate Grown; Patit Creek Cellars 2006 Trinite Red; The Hogue Cellars 2005 Terrior (Semillion, Sauv Blanc); Mount Baker Vineyards 2007 Marsanne Proprietor's Limited Release; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2007 Chenin Blanc; Ste. Chapelle 2007 Snake River Valley; Tsillan Cellars Winery 2007 Gewurztraminer Estate; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Gewurztraminer ; Hard Row to Hoe 2006 Cabernet Franc; Samson Estates Winery 2004 Cabernet Franc; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Riesling Davenhauer Vineyard; Silver Lake Winery 2007 Rosa Riesling; Claar Cellars 2007 Late Harvest Riesling Estate Grown & Bottled; Mount Baker Vineyards 2004 Late Harvest Viognier; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Riesling Selenium Vineyard Vin de Glaciere; Apex Cellars 2007 Apex II Semillion; XSV Wines 2004 Columbia Valley; Patit Creek Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon; Columbia Crest 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; Stephenson Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon; College Cellars of Walla Walla 2005 Northridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon; Four Lakes Chelan 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon; Kestrel Vintners 2005 Kestrel View Estate Washington State Cabernet; Northwest Wine Academy 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; Eliseo Silva (Tagaris) 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Single Vineyard; Silver Lake Winery 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; Hoodsport Winery NV Blackberry; Le Chateau 2007 Castle White; Maryhill Winery 2007 Winemaker's White; Plaza Socievole Winery 2007 Harmony ; RockWall Cellars 2007 To Di For Lula; Wood River Cellars 2007 Chardonnay; Barnard Griffin 2007 Tulip Label Chardonnay; Evergreen Vineyards 2006 Spruce Goose Chardonnay; Hoodsport Winery 2007 Chardonnay; Mercer Estates 2007 Chardonnay Mercer Estate; Snoqualmie Vineyards 2007 Naked Chardonay; Claar Cellars 2005 Syrah Estate Bottled & Grown; Flying Dutchman 2004 Syrah Planchan Vineyard; Chateau Ste Michelle 2005 Ethos Syrah Reserve; Gordon Brothers Cellars, Inc. 2005 Estate Grown Syrah; Preston Premium Wines 2005 Syrah Estate Grown; Lost River Winery 2006 Syrah; Rock Meadows Cellars 2006 Syrah; Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Early Muscat Sparkling Frizzante.