A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 2, No. 5 • © 2012

Naked vines near Hedges Family Estate on Red Mountain wait out winter in Washington wine country.

(Andy Perdue, Wine Press Northwest)

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Fresh Press is a weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest magazine. In each edition, we review recently released wines from Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho. Feel free to forward to your wine-loving friends and family. For more information on our tasting methods and review process, please go to the last page.

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 2, No. 5 • © 2012

Little did Rod and Leslie Balsley know where life would take them when they moved into their home in Sammamish, Wash.

However, wine lovers in the Northwest and beyond can thank a friendly neighborhood garage winemaker, one who remains under the radar, for crossing the streams of inspiration that created William Church Winery in Woodinville.

“Dick Gidley — he was sort of the catalyst of all of this,” Leslie Balsley said. “We moved next door to him and his wife, and he’d been making wine in his garage for 20 years. We’d go over to their house for dinner and his wine, and it was really good.

“Eventually, he asked, ‘Do you want me to get you some grapes?’ ” she continued. “That was how this all started.”

Rod looked beyond his own Sammamish garage, taking classes at University of California-Davis before hiring Matt Loso of Matthews Cellars fame to be his mentor. He gave up a career in computers that included work for Digital Equipment Corp., and Fortune 500 firms Hewlett-Packard and EMC Corp.

“He really wanted to get off the high-tech bandwagon and do something more creative,” said Leslie, who continues to work as a marketing consultant for software companies.

The Balsleys chose to open a winery in Woodinville’s Warehouse District and name it as a tribute to their fathers — William Balsley and John Church Lind. And the wine scene soon began to mushroom around them as their production has grown to 2,500 cases a year.

“There were 17 members in the association and the wine country was teeny tiny, only a few more than that,” she said. “The last I heard is there were 100 licenses, now not all of them are producing, but it’s still mind-boggling.”

And yet, William Church wines continue to stand out. Rod’s talent with Viognier has produced a Platinum two out of the past three years in Wine Press Northwest’s year-end competition of gold-medal wines.

“A lot of it has to do with the source,” she said. “We use Conner Lee Vineyard and have worked with them since we started in 2005, so we’ve got the formula down. It’s all stainless steel, and we try to keep a cool and long fermentation. That lets the fruit shine. It’s a great summer wine, and we continue to make more of it.”

Rod’s creativity and sense of balance might be even more pronounced with his red program, which includes three blends — Bishop’s Blend, Sur La Mer and 2 Spires — a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Malbec.

The 2009 Bishop’s Blend ($20), at 500 cases, makes up about 25 percent of their production, and it’s remarkably approachable in no small part by the base being Syrah (49%).

Again, the Balsleys credit much of the success to their growers in the Columbia Valley, which include Mike Sauer’s famed Red Willow Vineyard for Syrah, Chandler Reach, Stillwater Creek, Gamache Vineyard for Malbec and promising Dineen Family Vineyard in the Yakima Valley.

“We sought out the Dineens from the very beginning when we started in 2005,” Balsley said. “They were just coming on, and we continue to get Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from them.”

And the graduates of Washington State University are proud to have been chosen by the Wine By

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Spotlight: William Church WineryWinery: Warehouse District, 19495 144th Ave. NE, Suite A100, Woodinville, WA, 98072Tasting room: Hollywood School District, 14455 Woodinville-Redmond Road, Woodinville, WA 98072425-482-2510 • http://williamchurchwinery.com/

From left: Cheryl Cardwell, tasting room manager; Rod Balsley, owner/winemaker; Marcus Rafanelli, assistant winemaker; and Leslie Balsley, owner.

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 2, No. 5 • © 2012

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Cougars program to be part of the WSU artist series. Look for 60 cases of the 2008 Sur La Mer to feature a special label developed by a WSU fine arts student. That will be released in April.

Subtle messages and tributes on the William Church labels go beyond the name of the winery. For example, below the kaleidoscopic image are five tiny letters that represent the initial of each of Rod and Leslie’s five children. And the vintage of every wine is dedicated to others in the clan. The 2009 Bishop’s Blend signifies “Max’s Vintage.”

“We do it to get in good with other family members,” she said with a chuckle. “It’s been nieces, nephews, a brother who passed away and several grandchildren. It’s a fun little tribute that we do. And the Cabernet is always named after a dear friend of ours (Molly Baber) who passed away unexpectedly in 2006.”

A key addition to the team has been assistant winemaker Marcus Rafanelli, a graduate of Walla Walla Community College’s wine program who has been with the Balsleys since 2008.

“We keep giving him more responsibility and small projects to keep him happy,” Leslie said.

Last summer, the success of William Church prompted the Balsleys to open a tasting room in the

Hollywood Schoolhouse District. They are next door to Purple Café and Wine Bar and in the same complex as Dusted Valley, Sparkman Cellars, Trust and Pinot Noir producer Lachini Vineyards — the only Oregon winery in the region.

An added bonus has been replacing the old barbecue joint with Le Petit Terroir, a take-out of a much different sort.

“The cool thing about that is they don’t have seating, just a take-out window and outside seating, and they serve small plates to the wineries in the complex,” she said. “People will come into the tasting rooms waiting for a table at Purple. And with Purple’s corkage policy, they only charge corkage if you bring in a wine that’s on their list. Our wines are not on their list, so people come into our tasting room, buy a bottle of wine and take it to dinner. It works for us.”

Rod ended his relationship with Loso in 2007, but he still retains consultants, Erica Orr and Chris Peterson — both formerly with DeLille Cellars. So what about Dick Gidley?

“Dick moved to Kirkland, but we’re still friends,” she said. “You’ll see him at our winery from time to time and he’s still making wine and does a fine job. In fact, we get some Malbec grapes for him every year.”

Spotlight: William Church WineryOutstanding! William Church Winery 2008 Molly’s Vintage Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $30. Despite the backing of Petit Verdot (22%), this wine otherwise the style of Cab that has helped make Washington famous. The aromas are floral and fruity with ripe Bing cherry, blueberry, cinnamon, Cranberry Orange Tao of Tea, mint, fennel and Swisher Sweet tobacco. There’s enjoyable density to the palate with black cherry, black currant and underlying milk chocolate. It’s backed by assertive tannins, pomegranate acidity and a farewell of licorice, coffee and bittersweet chocolate. This wine is available in the Seattle area, Bellingham, Yakima, the Tri-Cities, Spokane and the Idaho Panhandle. (250 cases, 14.9% alc.)Outstanding! William Church Winery 2009 Philip’s Vintage Gamache Vineyard Malbec, Columbia

Valley, $30. Rod and Leslie Balsley recently opened an additional tasting room in Woodinville, this one in the Hollywood Schoolhouse District near Purple Café & Wine Bar. Their example of this Bordeaux variety is made with a fruit-forward approach that’s filled with intoxicating aromas of blueberry, boysenberry, plum, dried currant, fresh fig, chai and Jolly Rancher grape candy. Jammy and juicy blueberries and Marionberries ply their way onto the palate with opulence. There’s not much oak, very little tannin and pie cherry acidity. It’s polished off with hints of black olive and mocha espresso. (180 cases, 14.7% alc.)Outstanding! William Church Winery 2009 Gideon’s Vintage 2 Spires, Columbia Valley, $28. A Syrah-based blend, there’s just the right amount of Cabernet Sauvignon (31%) to tighten up the structure. And it’s hedonistic from the start with aromas

All wines reviewed here are tasted blind after being submitted by producers. They are rated Outstanding, Excellent and Recommended by a tasting panel.

Outstanding: These wines have superior characteristics and should be highly sought after.

Excellent: Top-notch wines with particularly high qualities.

Recommended: Delicious, well-made wines with true varietal characteristics.

Best Buy: A wine that is $15 or less.Priced are suggested retail and should be used as

guidelines. Prices are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

Wine ratings

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Cabernet SauvignonRecommended. Covey Run Winery Best Buy! 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $9. One of Washington’s most recognizable brands produces a Cab priced for weeknight enjoyment, packed with tones of boysenberry, pie cherry, caramel, Guatemalan cardamom, coffee and bittersweet chocolate. (13,845 cases, 13.5% alc.)Excellent. Best Buy! 1805 Wines 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $12. Kate Michaud’s new project for Ascentia Wine Estates offers a lighter-styled Cab built largely from wind-swept Alder Ridge Vineyard overlooking the Columbia River in the Horse Heaven Hills. It’s more than a bit ironic considering the name of the winery was inspired by Lewis & Clark’s Corps of Discovery, which floated past Alder Ridge more than 200 years ago. The dose of Syrah (11%) pops out throughout the wine, beginning with aromas of boysenberry jam, blackberry, currant, coffee and leather. The big fruity entry of brambleberry and blueberry is backed by bittersweet chocolate and bold tannins. Serve with tri-tip or baby back ribs. (2,500 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Recommended. Grande Ronde Cellars 2005 Seven Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $30. The partnership at this Spokane, Wash., winery devoted a fair bit of time and effort to this project, starting with one of the Northwest’s top vineyards. The barrel program was one of 18 months of French oak, 35% new barrels, and it was followed by four years of bottle aging. The wine opens with scents of cherry pie filling, blueberry, a grab of boysenberry that brought in some leaf and a brushing from fennel. It’s an easy drink and a lighter style of Cab with pleasing flavors of black currant, more blueberry and coffee. (250 cases, 14% alc.)Outstanding! Walla Walla Vintners 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $35. Bill vonMetzger has been working for Myles Anderson and Gordy Venneri for nearly 10 years, and fans of their oak-influenced reds should be pleased that this continues that tradition. The contributions from Pepper Bridge, Dwelley, Frazier Bluff, Seven Hills and Windrow vineyards help account for aromas loaded with black currant, smoky bittersweet chocolate and allspice with hints of cedar. Flavors string together more of the currant with blueberry. Silky chocolate swirls all the

New releases we’ve tasted

reminiscent of a blackberry milkshake or Black Forest cherry cake, backed by hints of smoked cedar, mince meat and chalkboard dust. The inky drink yields flavors of blueberry, huckleberry, dark chocolate and truffles. On the back is a mixture of cracked black peppercorns and Aussie black licorice. Enjoy with venison or elk. (250 cases, 14.9% alc.)

Outstanding! William Church Winery 2009 Max’s Vintage Bishop’s Blend, Columbia Valley, $20. Woodinville, Wash., winemaker Rod Balsley changes this blend from year to year, but this formula of Syrah (47%), Cabernet Sauvignon (22%), Merlot (16%), Malbec (8%) and Petit Verdot might be his best yet, thanks in part to Syrah from Red Willow, Merlot off Seven Hills and Malbec from Gamache Vineyards. It’s easy to smell the sweet purple berries that hint at Syrah, backed by attractive notes of cardamom, chocolate and black tea. The smooth entry carries juicy Marionberries and boysenberries, backed by blackberry seed tannin that merely adds complexity to the richness. It finishes with vanilla extract and white pepper. This wine recently was added as a glass pour at the Columbia Tower Club. (500 cases, 14.5% alc.)Recommended. William Church Winery 2008 Billy’s Vintage Sur La Mer, Columbia Valley, $32. Co-owner Leslie Balsley was born in France, and this

blend leans toward the Right Bank style of Bordeaux in components with its lead of Merlot (43%) from Chandler Reach, backed by contributions from Gamache and Northridge vineyards that include Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Cabernet Franc (17%), Malbec (12%) and Petit Verdot. Fragrant notes of Rainier cherry, milk chocolate, oregano and cedar strips tumble into flavors of dark strawberry, green olive, orange peel and char. A grilled T-bone or more time will mellow its sturdy tannins. (250 cases, 14.4% alc.)Outstanding! William Church Winery 2010 Sara’s Vintage Viognier, Columbia Valley, $22. The Balsleys have earned a Platinum in Wine Press Northwest’s “Best of The Best” judging for their work with this variety in two of the past three years, and this barrel-free product continues to show beautifully. A key factor is their continued relationship with Conner Lee Vineyard near Othello, Wash. The wine carries a theme of orange Creamsicle outside and in, and there’s more acidity that one normally expects from Viognier. Flavors of tangelo keep it mouthwatering, and notes of apricot and peach carry to the finish. While this vintage is now sold out, the 2011 was bottled Monday and should be available by April. (292 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Spotlight: William Church Winery

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New releases we’ve tastedway through and picks up some minerality, while the tannin management shows finesse. (600 cases, 14.5% alc.)

Pinot NoirExcellent. Cathedral Ridge Winery 2009 Dampier Vineyard East Reserve Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge, $44. Washington’s Underwood Mountain, the source of this wine, overlooks Hood River, Ore., home to Robb Bell’s winery. This block, on the warmer eastern side of the vineyard, boasts an elevation of 1,100 feet and allowed for dark tones in this Pinot Noir, starting with aromas of strawberry pie, pomegranate, dusty cherry and plums. The easy entry brings lots of black cherry and plum flavors, followed by zesty pomegranate and a delicious pop of orange zest in the finish. There’s a also a touch of cherry flambe in the finish, but that bit of heat can be solved with a serving of domestic duck, goose or short ribs. (150 cases, 14.1% alc.)Outstanding! Girardet Wine Cellars 2009 Barrel Select Pinot Noir, Umpqua Valley, $27. Dry-farmed vines on this site that was first planted in 1971 serve as another example of the amazing 2009 vintage of Oregon Pinot Noir, including the Umpqua Valley. Winemaker Marc Girardet’s shy use of oak allows for aromas of dark strawberry, jellied cranberry, Bing cherry and tangerine to flourish. The drink is more cherry pie than fruit punch, backed by black currant and fresh cranberry with lively acidity. Suggested fare includes chicken pesto pasta or a grilled New York strip influenced by mesquite. (767 cases, 13.6% alc.)Excellent. Illahe Vineyards & Winery 2009 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $20. The Wine Press Northwest 2011 Oregon Winery to Watch prides itself on using horse-drawn farm equipment, hand-picked estate grapes and basket-pressed wine. Results of such attention show all the way through this bottling, starting with aromas of cherry fruit leather, smoky black currant and pineapple juice. There’s a delicious and mouth-watering mix of cherry, cassis and cranberry flavors. (2,000 cases, 14% alc.)Excellent. Kudos 2009 Zena Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, $30. Laurent Montalieu’s NW Wine Co. taps into this site just south of famed Bethel Heights near Salem, Ore., for this big broadcast of raspberries. It starts in the nose, which also brings in whiffs of black cherry, strawberry and chocolate. There’s more of the same on the approach to the palate with an enjoyable entry of raspberry, blueberry and Craisins, finished by pie cherry and flakes of bittersweet chocolate. (319 cases, 13.8% alc.)

MalbecRecommended. Martin-Scott Winery 2009 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $26. Mike Scott in East Wenatchee, Wash., takes fruit from the Wahluke Slope and turns out small lots of approachable wines. This release shows lots of smoky blueberry, black currant and minerality, backed by good acidity and finished with vanilla extract. (74 cases, 15.1% alc.)

ZinfandelRecommended. Martin-Scott Winery 2009 Zinfandel, Columbia Valley, $20. Those who gravitate toward California Zins can find enjoyment in this offering that opens with whiffs of strawberry candy, Grether’s Blackcurrant Pastilles, plum juice and fresh pepperoni. It is a creamy and chocolaty drink with more strawberry, black cherry, coffee and a finish of salted caramel. (185 cases, 16.2% alc.)

Red blendsOutstanding! Ash Hollow Vineyards & Winery 2008 Headless Red, Walla Walla Valley, $18. The fun-loving and eclectic folks on the outskirts of Walla Walla’s airport district get serious when it comes to the winemaking, and this proprietary blend has turned our heads for the second straight vintage. Thankfully, winemaker Spencer Sievers ramped up production of his flagship wine by a third, arriving at a blend of Merlot (58%), Cabernet Sauvignon (26%), Syrah (13%) and Malbec. It’s a snootful of milk chocolate, pie cherry, poached plums and crushed leaf. The drink is sultry with a welcome of mouth-filling black cherry and dark chocolate. Complexity and balance comes from hints of refreshing cranberry and plum-skin tannin, backed smokiness throughout and a beautifully long finish of toasted almond. (460 cases, 14.1% alc.)Outstanding! Bergevin Lane 2008 Stone Tree Vineyard Intution Reserve, Wahluke Slope, $59. Danish winemaker Steffan Jorgensen produced a wine with elegance to celebrate this Walla Walla winery’s 10th anniversary this year, yet possessing enough staying power for it to continue on well into the next decade. His blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (83%) and Petit Verdot from Tedd Wildman’s vineyard spent 26 months in new French oak, which accounts for the aromas of fresh-baked brownie and hints of char. Yet, there are nice fruit accents of blackberry, blueberry, cherry and orange peel with a hint of crushed leaf. On the attack, there’s enough flavor of black currant, blueberry and Western serviceberry to balance the broad shoulders of tannin. The finish of licorice and Turkish coffee creates thoughts of pairing with a coffee-rubbed steak. (144 cases, 14.6% alc.)

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New releases we’ve tastedRieslingRecommended. Best Buy! 1805 Wines 2010 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $9. This little sister project to Columbia Winery in Woodinville made its inaugural release of Riesling one for the masses, bringing delicious aromas and flavors of lychee, jasmine, lavender and sweetened lemon. A note of minerality on the back end adds complexity, and there’s enough acidity to balance the residual sugar (1.75%). (750 cases, 12.5% alc.)Recommended. Best Buy! Girardet Wine Cellars 2011 Estate Riesling, Umpqua Valley, $15. Some wines are just plain fun to explore, and here’s a delicious example, with a hint of botrytis. The nose starts with a fresh piece of banana Laffy Taffy, followed by lemon oil, fresh orange and some minerality. Flavors begin with Jolly Rancher green apple candy, 7Up and Juicy Fruit gum. Despite the listed residual sugar of 2.5%, the wine is whisked dry in amazing fashion, thanks to lavender, lemon juice and minerality. (503 cases, 11.5% alc.)

Sauvignon BlancRecommended. Spangler Vineyards 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Southern Oregon, $18. Patrick Spangler designs his wines for the dining room table, and this is a Sauvignon Blanc for foodies. Aromas feature gooseberry, honeydew melon, pineapple grassiness, slate and a whiff of smoke. The palate comes loaded with starfruit, lime juice and yellow grapefruit pith, and its assertive acidity lingers. Enjoy with white asparagus soup or pumpkin bisque. And with the peel-off plastic T-top stopper, there’s no fear of cork taint. (179 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Chenin BlancExcellent. Anelare 2011 Ottimista Chenin Blanc, Yakima Valley, $17. Cañon De Sol owner Victor Cruz crafts the wines for this boutique operation owned by Forrest and Kahryn Alexander, and this luscious white from WJ Farms is packed with tropical notes. Aromas feature banana chips, lychee, pear, smoked almond and fennel with some Uncola notes in the background. Flavors bring back fresh lychee nut and continue with mango and candy corn. The style is off-dry, even with the residual sugar listed as just 0.7%, and there’s just enough acidity to add balance. As with many Anelare wines, this will be club-only item upon its March 1 release, but perhaps the Alexanders will make an exception or two in the new Badger Canyon tasting gallery they will share with Cañon De Sol. After all, ottimista is Italian for “optimistic.” (70 cases, 12.2% alc.)

CayugaExcellent. Girardet Wine Cellars 2011 Estate Cayuga, Umpqua Valley, $20. Cornell University in New York developed this variety for the Finger Lakes region and offered it for commercial use in the early 1970s. Researchers at the Ivy League college named their hybrid cross of Schuyler and Seyval Blanc for nearby Cayuga Lake, one of the 11 bodies of water that make up the Finger Lakes region. Leave it to Marc Girardet and winery founder, father Philippe, to bring this tasty and winter-hardy variety to Oregon, providing them a niche white wine to complement their award-winning Baco Noir. Those who enjoy Chenin Blanc and off-dry Rieslings will enjoy their debut of Cayuga, as it brings tropical aromas of lychee and coconut milk along with hints of sandalwood and watermelon sorbet. There is a continuation of ripe watermelon on the entry to the palate with Juicy Fruit gum and Thompson Seedless flavors, but the midpalate brings complexity with a chalky slate quality, backed by lime soda, Granny Smith and Asian pear in the finish. Enjoy with brunch, light appetizers or a cheese plate. (100 cases, 11.5% alc.)

Fruit wineOutstanding! Westport Winery NV Message in Bottle Blackberry with Vanilla, Washington, $29. Our reigning Washington Winery to Watch produces more than 30 different wines, and young winemaker Dana Roberts shows skill across the spectrum. Those who enjoy blackberry jam will love this, but there’s more to the attractive nose that also hints at boysenberry compote and strawberry hard candy. Flavors of blackberry and black currant follow, and while it’s meant to be a dessert wine with its 10% residual sugar, it’s far from cloying because pomegranate-like acidity blasts through to provide balance. Enjoy drizzled over ice cream, pour it in some sparkling water for a spritzer or enjoy on Sunday morning with breakfast. (155 cases, 11% alc.)

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 2, No. 5 • © 2012

Multi-state appellations Columbia Valley: This multi-state appellation is 11

million acres in size and takes up a third of Washington. Established in 1984.

Columbia Gorge: This multi-state appellation begins around the town of Lyle and heads west to Husum on the Washington side of the Columbia River. It was established in 2004.

Walla Walla Valley: Walla Walla Valley: This multi-state appellation is in the southeast corner of Washington and around Milton-Freewater, Ore. Established in 1984.

Snake River Valley: This is in southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon. It covers 8,263 square miles and was established in 2007.

WashingtonYakima Valley: The Northwest’s oldest appellation

(established in 1983) stretches past Wapato in the west to Benton City in the east and includes Red Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills and Snipes Mountain.

Red Mountain: Washington’s smallest appellation is a ridge in the eastern Yakima Valley. It is 4,040 acres in size. Established in 2001.

Horse Heaven Hills: This large appellation — 570,000 acres — is south of the Yakima Valley and stretches to the Oregon border. It was established in 2005.

Wahluke Slope: Approved in early 2006, this huge landform north of the Yakima Valley is an 81,000-acre gravel bar created by the Ice Age Floods. It is one of the warmest regions in the entire Pacific Northwest. Established in 2006.

Rattlesnake Hills: This appellation is in the western Yakima Valley north of the towns of Zillah, Granger and Outlook. The appellation is 68,500 acres in size with about 1,300 acres of vineyards. It was established in 2006.

Puget Sound: This sprawling appellation is in Western Washington. It stretches from the Olympia area to the Canadian border north of Bellingham. It also sweeps through the San Juan Islands and to Port Angeles. Established in 1995.

Snipes Mountain: This is one of Washington’s oldest wine-growing regions. At 4,145 acres in size, it is the state’s second-smallest AVA. Grapes have been grown on Snipes Mountain and at the adjacent Harrison Hill (also part of the AVA) since 1914. This AVAwas approved in 2009.

Lake Chelan: This area in north-central Washington is almost entirely within the Columbia Valley. It is a young area, with the oldest vines dating to 1998. About 250 acres are planted here. It was approved in 2009.

Naches Heights: Approved in 2011, this area near the city of Yakima has fewer than 50 acres of grapes planted.

OregonWillamette Valley: Oregon’s largest appellation stretches

roughly from Portland to Eugene. Established in 1984.

Ribbon Ridge: This is the Northwest’s smallest appellation at 3,350 acres. It is best known for its Pinot Noir and is within the Chehalem Mountains AVA. It was established in 2005.

Yamhill-Carlton: This is a horseshoe-shaped appellation that surrounds the towns of Yamhill and Carlton. It was established in 2005. The “District” was dropped in 2011.

Chehalem Mountains: This is the largest within the Willamette Valley. This 62,100-acre appellation is northeast of the Dundee Hills. It was established in 2006.

Dundee Hills: Many of Oregon’s pioneer wineries are in the Dundee Hills within Oregon’s Yamhill County. The appellation is 6,490 acres in size. It was established in 2005.

Eola-Amity Hills: This important region stretches from the town of Amity in the north to the capital city of Salem in the southeast. It is 37,900 acres in size. It was established in 2006.

McMinnville: The hills south and west of the Yamhill County city of McMinnville are more than 40,000 acres in size. It was established in 2005.

Umpqua Valley: This Southern Oregon appellation surrounds the city of Roseburg north of the Rogue Valley. It can produce Pinot Noir as well as warm-climate grapes. It was established in 1984.

Rogue Valley: The Northwest’s southern-most appellation surrounds the cities of Medford and Ashland, just north of the California border. It is known for its warm growing conditions. Established in 2001.

Applegate Valley: This small valley within the Rogue Valley is known for a multitude of microclimates that can result in wines of distinction and complexity. Established in 2004.

Southern Oregon: This AVA encompasses the Umpqua, Rogue and Applegate valleys and Red Hill Douglas County. It was established in 2005.

Red Hill Douglas County: This tiny appellation — just 5,500 acres — is within the Umpqua Valley. Fewer than 200 acres of wine grapes, primarily Pinot Noir, are grown here. Established in 2005.

British ColumbiaOkanagan Valley: In the province’s interior, this 100-

mile valley stretches from the border in Osoyoos to Salmon Arm in the north. Most wineries are near Oliver, Penticton and Kelowna. It was established in 1990.

Similkameen Valley: This warm valley is west of the southern Okanagan Valley. It was established in 1990.

Vancouver Island: This marine-influenced appellation is in the southwest part of the province. Established in 1990.

Fraser Valley: This farming area is in the Lower Mainland, south of Vancouver. Established in 1990.

Gulf Islands: This appellation includes approximately 100 islands spread out between Vancouver Island and the southern mainland. Established in 2005.

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A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 2, No. 5 • © 2012

Recent Releases are evaluated under strict conditions to ensure objectivity. Northwest wineries submit wines to Wine Press Northwest for evaluation by Wine Press Northwest’s tasting panel. After wines are received, they are stored for at least two weeks and a third party serves them “blind,” meaning the tasting panelists do not know the producer. In addition, the panelists are served glasses of wine and are not able to view the bottles or their shapes prior to tasting. Wines are stored in temperature-controlled conditions, allowing them to be served at perfect cellar temperatures.

Price is not a consideration in these evaluations, nor is a winery’s advertising activity with Wine Press Northwest, as the magazine’s editorial/wine evaluation activities and advertising/marketing efforts are kept strictly separate.

The panel has a combination of technical and consumer palates. If at least three of the four panelists consider a wine technically sound and commercially acceptable, it is included here as “Recommended.” The panel may also vote the wine as “Excellent” or “Outstanding,” our top rating. Wines considered

unacceptable by the panel are rejected and not included. Reviews are grouped by variety or style and listed alphabetically by winery. Prices listed are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

To ensure we maintain an international perspective, our tasting panelists judge thousands of wines annually at various competitions, including: Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition, Riverside International Wine Competition, Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, Indy International Wine Competition, Virginia Governor’s Cup, Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Grand Harvest Awards, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru, Washington State Wine Competition, Seattle Wine Awards, Northwest Wine Summit, British Columbia Wine Awards, New York Wine and Grape Foundation Competition, Tri-Cities Wine Festival, Capital Food & Wine Fest, North Central Washington Wine Awards and Idaho Wine Competition.

Tasting methods

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Wine Press Northwest is a quarterly consumer magazine that focuses on the wine regions of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho.

Annual subscriptions are $20. Click to subscribe.

Editor-in-chief: Andy Perdueeditor@winepressnw.com

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