Washington Wine Country
There’s few places quite as beautiful as Washington State in the summertime, and with such amazing weather and gorgeous views, the Washington state wine regions are the perfect place to take your wine adventures. While there are many amazing and delightful wineries in Washington to choose from, we’d like to highlight a few standout experiences.
Red Mountain Wine Region
One of our favorite wine regions in the nation is the stunning Red Mountain Region in Washington State, and nestled right in the heart is Kiona Vineyards. Founded in 1975, Kiona Vineyards is family owned for three generations, growing grapes and producing amazing wines. From initial planting of the vines to bottling of product, Kiona Vineyards is responsible for every aspect of the finished product set forth into the world.
For summer, Kiona Vineyards features an Estate Red Mountain Sangiovese, which although does not enjoy great mainstream popularity yet, features grapes that grow exceptionally well in the Red Mountain region. The flavor is layered, with bright cherry aromas and a zingy acid finish. If you prefer a crisp, revitalizing white, The Kiona Vineyards Chenin Blanc is easy to drink with a delightful mix of citrus and a thoroughly refreshing finish. The Chenin Blanc pairs exceptionally well with poultry and soft to semi-firm cow’s milk cheeses and makes a stellar addition to your summertime table.
Staying within the Red Mountain Region of Washington State, another can’t-miss location is Corvus Cellars. Born in 1995 from a friendship founded on passion for winemaking, Corvus founders Randall and Steve rely on similarly refined palates to shape their wines as they develop.
For summertime wine drinking, try the 2015 Red Mountain Rosé, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Mourvedre, with a rich mouthfeel and a pleasant finish. It is the perfect summer wine that pairs well with seafood for your summertime feast.
Columbia Gorge Region
But Washington State is rich with winery regions beyond Red Mountain, and we would be remiss if we didn’t mention a couple of the stellar wineries in the rich Columbia Gorge region in Eastern and Western Washington. Featuring about 20 wineries along the Columbia River, the Columbia Gorge region is another bucket list locale to visit.
Nestled within the Columbia Gorge Region is the fantastic Maryhill Winery, established in 199 by Craig and Vicki Leuthold. With a 3,00-square-foot tasting room, gorgeous vine-covered arbor, and beautiful picnic grounds, the winery has grown to produce more than 90,000 cases, making it the 9th largest winery in Washington.
When you visit Maryhill Winery this summer, be sure to indulge in the 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, with it’s aromas of kumquat, pear, lychee, and ruby red grapefruit. This slightly acidic and refreshing wine is perfect for summertime wine tasting, pairing well with fresh crab, simply grilled fish, and barely cooked tomato dishes such as gazpacho.
However, size isn’t everything, and you can easily go from the largest Washington winery to the smallest and find equal quality and style. In visiting the Columbia Gorge area, you must visit Major Creek Cellars, who produce less than 200 cases per year, marking them as the smallest winery in Washington. Launched in 2004, Major Creek Cellars’ mission is to deliver affordable, premium red wines to the northwest and beyond.
For summertime tasting, you’ll want to try the Major Creek Cellars 2013 Pinot Noir, which combines Pear Blossom and Jewett Creek Ranch vineyards fruit and has a lasting finish of deep red cherries. This classic wine is a Columbia Gorge-sourced aromatic Pinot that pairs excellently with grilled meats and seafood.
Washington State wine country is an amazing place, and you can experience the beauty and joy it has to offer every day with a VinMap of the Washington State Wine Regions.
A beautiful VinMap makes an excellent keepsake from a summer tasting trip, or a thoughtful gift for the wine enthusiast in your life. Discover more here today!