The Wine Knows - Washington

Vineyard update with Charlie Hoppes

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:42:02 -0400

We recently got out in the vineyard with Charlie Hoppes, owner/winemaker for Fidelitas Wines on Washington's Red Mountain. In this wide-ranging interview, we talked about the state of the vineyards after a cool spring, Goose Ridge Winery's latest project, Charlie's move away from Syrah and the upcoming harvest.

NW winery search

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:55:00 -0400

Over the past few months, we've been working on a better way to provide information on Northwest wineries. Our old Web site had a searchable database, but it was difficult to maintain. Our new system will provide a way for site visitors to provide updates, which then will be easy for us to upload.

We know we're missing a fair bit of information in this first release, which is why we're counting on all of you to take a look at your favorite wineries and provide us with any updates you might have.

Take a look:

Columbia Crest shows a little silver

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:48:52 -0400

A few weekends ago, Columbia Crest marked its first quarter-century with its "Silver Solstice" celebration. On hand were such folks as Doug Gore, who was Crest's winemaker for many of those years, and Kay Simon of Chinook, who hired Gore when she was with Ste. Michelle.

Honoring a legend

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:52:37 -0400

On Saturday evening, the Washington wine industry honored Stan Clarke by inducting him into the Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame in Prosser.

Clarke, who died unexpectedly last fall, was a grape grower, winemaker, educator and wine writer in his more than 30 years in the business.

A cautionary tale of overpriced wines

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:35:13 -0400

A now-former reader recently sent me the following email:

Families of the Wine: Seasons Among the Winemakers of Southwest France

Vineyards still catching up

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:29:40 -0400

Summer has definitely arrived in Washington's Columbia Valley, as we've enjoyed several days of triple-digit temperatures. Yet June was cooler than normal, with an average of 67 degrees - about a degree below the norm.

More perfection for Quilceda Creek

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:53:28 -0400

Doug Charles of Compass Wines in Anacortes, Wash., announced in an email blast to customers today that Quilceda Creek Vintners in Snohomish, Wash., has earned another perfect 100 from The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker's publication.

Taming of the screw

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:32:09 -0400

CorkTec, a Connecticut-based cork producer, is setting up shop in the heart of Washington's Columbia Valley. Read our story on it here.

By fall, CorkTec plans to be producing up to 2 million corks per month with the idea of taking advantage of the fast-growing Northwest wine industry.

Matt Loso leaves Matthews Cellars

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:48:25 -0400

Matt Loso, who founded his eponymous winery Matthews Cellars in 1993, is selling his interest in the Woodinville, Wash., operation to his financial partners.

How cool is this?

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:12:22 -0400

How cool has 2008 been in Washington's Columbia Valley? Let's just say that we're partying like it's 1999.

According to Washington State University's viticulture data center, 2008 has received the same amount of accumulated heat so far as 1999, which was one of the coolest years in recent history.

Why Crest is best

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:57:27 -0400

Ever wonder how Columbia Crest manages to consistently make millions of bottles of wine for bargain prices? Ray Einberger and his crew at the Northwest's largest winery amaze me every time I pop the cork on one of their wines.

Ascentia bought NW brands for Riesling

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:28:31 -0400

I just got off the phone with Jim DiBonis, CEO of Ascentia Wine Estates, which last week purchased Columbia Winery, Covey Run Winery and Ste. Chapelle from Constellation.

We had a long-ranging conversation about DiBonis' new company and where the Northwest fit in, and the big take-away was this: One of the biggest reasons for wanting these three Northwest wineries was Riesling.

RainForest Red a lush wine

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:05:32 -0400

Last night, I opened Lost Mountain Winery's 2004 RainForest Red, a Bordeaux-style blend of Cab, Merlot and Cab Franc. It went perfectly with the grilled flank steak I was preparing.

Wither Gewürztraminer?

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:12:52 -0400

Once upon a time, Gewürztraminer was a grape variety of some importance in Washington. Part of this was the thinking that Washington is so far north of California that it would require cool-climate varieties to be viable.

These days, we all realize the folly of that thinking, with the Columbia Valley's general lack of rain along with the long, hot summer days.

Yet I still love a good Gewürztraminer, and Washington continues to make a fair amount. In 2007, it was the No. 4 white wine grape with 4,100 tons harvested.

Taste Washington Spokane

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 02:33:51 -0400

Last weekend, Managing Editor Eric Degerman attended Taste Washington Spokane at the marvelous Davenport Hotel. He spoke with several folks during the event, including Jill "The Thrill" Rider, who has played integral roles in the development of the Spokane wine industry.