Columbia Gorge Winery Awards
1-15-2010 - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition - Congrats to our member wineries (a complete list of winners by winery can be found here):
Double Gold:
Marchesi 2008 Sangiovese 'Emma', Walla Walla
Silver:
Cathedral Ridge, 2007 Reserve Zinfandel, Columbia Valley, Hillside Vineyard
Maryhill Winery, 2008 Muscat Canelli, Columbia Valley
Maryhill Winery, 2008 Gewurztraminer, Columbia Valley
Maryhill Winery Winemaker's White, Columbia Valley
Wy'East Vineyards, 2008 Reserve Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge
Bronze:
Cathedral Ridge, 2007 Bordheauxd Red, Bordeaux Blend Columbia Valley
Maryhill Winery, 2008 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley
Maryhill Winery, 2008 Viognier, Columbia Valley
Maryhill Winery 2008, Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
Maryhill Winery 2008, Rose of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley
Wy'East Vineyards, 2008 Blue Chip Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge
11-14-09 - Northwest Food & Wine Festival Awards - Congrats to the Columbia Gorge wineries bringing home the hardware:
Wy'East Vineyards: 2008 Pinot Gris - Platinum, 2008 Pinot Noir Blue Chip - Silver, 2008 Pinot Noir Reserve - Silver
Wheatridge in the Nook: Cabernet Sauvignon - Bronze
10-31-2009 - eRobertParker.com
Washington: Consistent Quality, New Stars
What strikes me most about Washington State wines (as a visitor from afar) is how consistent Columbia Valley vintages are. The high desert climate, control of the water supply through irrigation, and the near absence of harvest rains are all factors in lack of vintage variation. This is not to say that vintages don’t matter; the principal variable from one year to the next is heat. The years 2003, 2004, and 2005 can be characterized as “warm” years, 2006 and 2007 less so. There seems to be a consensus that 2007 was an ideal vintage but it’s just a bit too soon to say. Certainly 2006 is an excellent to outstanding vintage (most of the red wines in this report are from that year). To Washington’s producers, these differences are significant. To an outsider not so much. I cover Oregon where no two years are alike, each having its own distinctive personality and personality quirks. Those are variations that truly make a difference. In Washington I occasionally have the opportunity to participate in vertical tastings. I am almost always struck by the consistency from year to year and the absence of truly bad years. Over a period of 20+ years one can see how styles have gradually changed, farming has improved, and how certain grapes have come into favor at the expense of others but, to me, Washington’s story is about consistency. The obvious lesson for consumers is to learn who the top producers are. With this knowledge, you can buy a wine from a favorite winery from almost any vintage with a very high expectation that it will be to your liking year after year after year.
Based on what I’ve just said, you might think that covering Washington is boring. Not so, because the region is bustling with . Washington just registered its 600th winery. There are 42 wineries in the town of Woodinville alone. When I made my first wine tour of Washington in 1990, I visited all 42 wineries that were operating in the entire state. Walla Walla had four wineries in 1990, now there are over 100. In short, the fun part of covering Washington is discovering the new stars (and there are plenty). Here are some names worthy of consideration: Adams Bench, Cadence, Corliss Estate, Efeste, Gorman, Gramercy Cellars, Grand Rêve, Mark Ryan Winery, Maryhill, Rasa Vineyards, Sheridan Vineyard, Sparkman Cellars, Syncline, and Waters. When talented, motivated people get to work with high quality Washington fruit, amazing things can happen.
Syncline Mourvedre Coyote Canyon Vineyard 93
2007 Syncline Pinot Noir Celilo Vineyard 91
2007 Syncline G S M C Cuvee Elena 93
2008 Syncline Rose 90 
2007 Syncline Syrah 93
2008 Syncline Viognier Coyote Canyon Vineyard 90
2006 Maryhill Winery Cabernet Franc Proprietor's Reserve 91
2006 Maryhill Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Proprietor's Reserve 90
2006 Maryhill Winery Malbec Proprietor's Reserve 91
2006 Maryhill Winery Merlot Proprietor's Reserve 91
2008 Maryhill Winery Pinot Gris 87
2006 Maryhill Winery Serendipity Red Wine 91+
2006 Maryhill Winery Syrah Proprietor's Reserve 92
Becky's Cuvee Pinot Noir 2007 89 Points $26
Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2007 90 Points $42
Cuvee Alexandrine Pinot Noir 2007 91 Points $42
"This is an impressive collection of wines from Phelps Creek Vineyards located in the Columbia Gorge AVA. The 2007 Pinot Noir Becky's Cuvee is a blend of six vineyards. It offers a lovely bouquet of cedar, cinnamon, incense, cherry and raspberry. Smooth and easy-going on the palate, this flavorful, nicely concentrated, pleasure-bent wine will provide fine drinking over the next 5 years. The 2007 Pinot Noir Estate Reserve displays a similar personality but with greater depth and concentration. Spicy, savory and round, this stylish Pinot has no hard edges. Drink it through 2015. The 2007 Pinot Noir Cuvee Alexandrine raises the bar a notch. The complex aromatic array includes smoke, mineral, earth notes, violets, cherry, and raspberry. Elegant and intensely fruited, it has the structure to evolve for 1-2 years and will offer a drinking window extending from 2011 to 2019."
--Jay Miller, Wine Advocate, 10-31-09
2009 Aniche Cellars Rhone Blend Moth Love - 90 Points - $34
Aniche Cellars' 2009 Rhone Blend Moth Love Elephant Mountain Vineyards is a blend of 48% Syrah, 34% Mourvedre, and 18% Grenache that spent 14 months in 30% new oak. Aromas of underbrush, smoked meat, lavender, blueberry, and plum inform the nose of a savory, sweetly-fruited, concentrated wine already revealing some complexity. It can be approached now but has the structure to evolve for 1-2 years. Drink it through 2019.
--Jay Miller, Wine Advocate October 2011
Wasco County Fair 2009 - Wheatridge in the Nook Barbera - named Best All Around Red in Blind Judging, 07 Chenin Blanc - first place, 06 Cab Sauvignon - second place, 06 Syrah - second place, 07 Chardonnay - third place.
San Francisco Int'l Wine Comp... Cathedral Ridge Winery Double Gold Medal for their 2006 Syrah from San Francisco International Wine Competition! Bronze Medal for their 2007 Huber Pinot Noir http://cathedralridgewinery.com/wineawards.php
Congrats to our winning Wineries from the 2009 Seattle Wine Awards!
Cabernet Sauvignon $35.01 – up
Silver 2006 Maryhill Proprietor’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon $20 – under
Gold 2006 Maryhill Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
Merlot $20.01 – $35
Double Gold – 2006 Maryhill Proprietor’s Reserve Merlot, Columbia Valley
Red Bordeaux Style $35.01 – up
Bronze 2006 Maryhill Proprietor’s Reserve Serendipity, Columbia Valley
Red Proprietary Blends $20 – under
Gold 2007 Maryhill Winemaker’s Red, Columbia Valley
Red Rhone Styles $35.01 – up
Gold 2007 Syncline Cuvee Elena, Columbia Valley
Red Rhone Styles $20.01 - $35
Double Gold 2007 Syncline Mourvedre, Horse Heaven Hills
Red Rhone Styles $20 – under
Bronze 2007 Syncline Subduction Red, Columbia Valley
Red Varietals $20.01 - $35
Gold 2007 Cathedral Ridge Pinot, Columbia Gorge
Gold 2006 Maryhill Proprietor’s Reserve Barbera, Columbia valley
Gold 2006 Maryhill Zinfandel, Columbia Valley
Silver 2007 Cathedral Ridge Zinfandel, Columbia Valley
Sangiovese $20.01 - $35
Silver 2006 Maryhill Proprietor’s Reserve Sangiovese, Columbia Valley
Syrah $20 – under
Double Gold 2006 Maryhill Syrah, Columbia Valley
Congrats to our winning Wineries from the 14th Annual NorthWest Wine Summit!
GOLD:
Maryhill Winery, 2006 Proprietor's Reserve Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley WA
Maryhill Winery, 2006 Proprietor's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley WA
Maryhill Winery, 2006 Syrah, Columbia Valley WA
Pheasant Valley Winery, 2007McDuffee Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge OR
Quenett Winery, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley WA
Springhouse Cellar, 2007 Make Cab Not War, Columbia Valley OR
Springhouse Cellar, 2008 Rosé Sweet Thang, Columbia Valley OR
SILVER:
Maryhill Winery, 2006 Zinfandel, Columbia Valley WA
Maryhill Winery, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley WA
Maryhill Winery, 2006 Proprietor's Reserve Syrah, Columbia Valley WA
Maryhill Winery, 2006 Proprietor's Reserve Serendipity, Columbia Valley WA
Maryhill Winery, 2006 Proprietor's Reserve Merlot, Columbia Valley WA
Maryhill Winery, 2006 Proprietor's Reserve Barbera, Columbia Valley WA
Maryhill Winery, 2006 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley WA
Mt Hood Winery, 2007 Gold Cap Gewurztraminer, Columbia Gorge OR
Mt Hood Winery, 2006 Estate Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge OR
Pheasant Valley Winery, 2005 Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge OR
Quenett Winery, 2006 Syrah, Columbia Valley WA
Quenett Winery, 2006 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley WA
Springhouse Cellar, 2007 Perpetual Merlotion, Columbia Gorge OR
Springhouse Cellar, 2007 Que Shiraz Syrah, Columbia Gorge OR
Springhouse Cellar, 2007 Poetry in Merlotion, Columbia Gorge OR
The Pines 1852, 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel, Columbia Valley OR
The Pines 1852, 2007 Syrah, Columbia Gorge OR
Viento, NV The Gorge White House Heritage Pear, Columbia Gorge OR
BRONZE:
Mt Hood Winery, 2008 Estate Pinot Gris, Columbia Gorge OR
Mt Hood Winery, 2008 Saignee of Estate Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge OR
Mt Hood Winery, 2007 Puerto Montana, Columbia Gorge OR
Mt Hood Winery, 2007 Riesling, Columbia Valley WA
Pheasant Valley Winery, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley WA
Pheasant Valley Winery, 2007 Estate Organic Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge OR
Pheasant Valley Winery, 2006 Columbia Gorge Pinot Gris, Columbia Gorge OR
Pheasant Valley Winery, 2007 Estate Organic Pinot Gris, Columbia Gorge OR
Quenett Winery, 2007 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley WA
Springhouse Cellar, 2008 Drawing a Blanc, Columbia Gorge OR
Springhouse Cellar, 2008 Görge-traminer, Columbia Gorge OR
Springhouse Cellar, NV Homestead, Columbia Gorge OR
Springhouse Cellar, 2008 Voulez - Vous Viognier Columbia Gorge OR
The Pines 1852, 2008 Pinot Gris, Columbia Gorge WA
The Pines 1852, 2007 Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge WA
Wine Press Northwest Names Maryhill Winery -
Washington Winery of the Year 2009!
Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging
Congrats to the Columbia Gorge Wineries named in Wine Press Northwest’s Platinum Judging 2008. For more info and complete list of winners please visit: Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging
Double Platinum/Best of the Best
Cascade Cliffs Vineyard & Winery 2006 Barbera, Columbia Valley, $30
Double Platinum
Maryhill Winery 2005 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $20
Platinum
Maryhill Winery 2005 Proprietor's Reserve Malbec, Columbia Valley, $28
Wind River Cellars 2006 Cabernet Franc , Horse Heaven Hills , $30
Double Gold
Maryhill Winery 2005 Proprietor's Reserve Grenache, Columbia Valley, $24
Maryhill Winery 2007 Rose of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $13
Maryhill Winery 2005 Proprietor's Reserve Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $32
Maryhill Winery 2005 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $18
Maryhill Winery 2005 Proprietor's Reserve Zinfandel, Columbia Valley, $36
Double Gold & Best Buy
Maryhill Winery 2006 Winemaker's Red, Columbia Valley, $14
Gold
Cascade Cliffs Vineyard & Winery 2005 Reserve Nebbiolo, Columbia Valley, $50
Maryhill Winery 2005 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $18
Maryhill Winery 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $14
Maryhill Winery 2005 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $18
Maryhill Winery 2007 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $15
2008 Seattle Wine Awards:
Sauvignon Blanc
GOLD 2007 Maryhill Winery “Classic”
Outstanding Merlot Award
2005 Maryhill Winery “Propreitor’s Reserve”
2005 Maryhill Winery “Classic” Columbia Valley
Red Bordeaux Style Blends
$15.00 / Under
GOLD 2006 Maryhill “Winemaker’s Red”
Outstanding Syrah Award
2005 Maryhill Winery “Proprietor’s Reserve”
2005 Maryhill Winery “Classic” Columbia Valley
Red Varietals
$30.01 / Up
GOLD 2005 Maryhill Zinfandel “Proprietors Reserve”
GOLD 2005 Maryhill Malbec “Proprietor’s Reserve”
GOLD 2005 Waving Tree Nebbiolo
Northwest Wine Summit 2008
Gold
Cascade Cliffs Vineyard & Winery 2006 Barbera Columbia Valley Estate Grown
Cascade Cliffs Vineyard & Winery 2005 Nebbiolo Columbia Valley Estate Grown
Cathedral Ridge 2006 Zinfandel Columbia Valley
Maryhill Winery 2007 Viognier Columbia Valley
Maryhill Winery 2005 Sangiovese Columbia Valley Classic
Wind River 2006 Cabernet Franc Horse Heaven Hills
Silver
Cascade Cliffs Vineyard & Winery 2004 Nebbiolo Columbia Valley Estate Grown
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir Columbia
Erin Glenn Vineyards 2005 Blind Dog Syrah Columbia Gorge Oregon
Maryhill Winery 2005 Serendipity Columbia Valley Proprietor's Reserve
Maryhill Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Proprietor's Reserve
Maryhill Winery 2005 Zinfandel Columbia Valley Proprietor's Reserve
Maryhill Winery 2007 Pinot Gris Columbia Valley
Maryhill Winery 2005 Merlot Columbia Valley Proprietor's Reserve
Mt. Hood Winery 2007 Pinot Noir Soignee Columbia Gorge
Pheasant Valley Winery 2007 Organic Pinot Noir Columbia Gorge
Pheasant Valley Winery 2007 Riesling Columbia Gorge
Pheasant Valley Winery NV River City Red Columbia Valley
Quenett 2004 Sangiovese Columbia Valley
Springhouse Cellar 2006 Homestead Red Columbia Valley
Springhouse Cellar 2006 Peace, Love and Chardonnay Columbia Gorge
Springhouse Cellar 2005 Perpetual Merlotion Columbia Gorge
Viento 2006 Underwood Mountain Vineyard Dry Riesling Columbia Gorge
Viento 2006 Underwood Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir Columbia Gorge
Waving Tree Winery 2005 Sangiovese-Cabernet Columbia Valley
White Salmon Vineyards 2004 Chardonnay Columbia Gorge
Wind River Cellars 2005 Merlot Horse Heaven Hills
Wind River Cellars 2003 Port of Celilo Columbia Gorge Celilo Vineyard
Bronze
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2006 Pinot Noir Columbia Valley
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2006 Pinot gris Columbia Valley
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2007 Chardonannay Columbia Valley
Erin Glenn Vineyards 2005 Tempranillo Columbia Valley
Erin Glenn Vineyards 2005 Viognier Chukar Ridge Vineyard Columbia Valley
Klickitat Canyon 2005 Celilo Vineyard Merlot Columbia Gorge
Klickitat Canyon 2006 Meadowlark Gold Viognier Columbia Gorge
Maryhill Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Maryhill Winery 2005 Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley
Maryhill Winery 2007 Gewurztraminer Columbia Valley
Maryhill Winery 2005 Syrah Columbia Valley Classic
Maryhill Winery 2006 Rose of Sangiovese Columbia Valley
Mt. Hood Winery 2007 Pinot Gris Columbia Gorge
North Shore Wine Cellars 2005 Tempranillo Horse Heaven Hills
NV Barrel Aged Cherry
Pheasant Valley Winery 2006 Tempranillo Columbia Valley
Pheasant Valley Winery 2007 Organic Pinot Gris Columbia Gorge Estate
Pheasant Valley Winery NV River City Red Columbia Gorge $17
Pheasant Valley Winery 2005 Pinot Noir Columbia Gorge
Quenett 2005 Zinfandel Columbia Valley
Springhouse Cellar 2007 First Blush Zinfandel Barbera Columbia Gorge
Springhouse Cellar 2006 Let's Be Franc Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley
Viento 2005 Voluptious Naramate Bench Okanagan Valley
Viento NV Cuvee R Lot #5 Columbia Valley
Viento 2005 Sangiovese Cuvee Tuition Columbia Valley
Waving Tree Winery 2005 Nebbiolo Horse Heaven Hills Coyote Canyon Vineyards
Waving Tree Winery 2005 Syrah Columbia Valley Estate
Waving Tree Winery Grenache Columbia Valley Estate
Waving Tree Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills McKinley Springs Vineyard
White Salmon Vineyards - 2004 Estate grown Pinot Noir Columbis Gorge
Wind River Cellars 2005 Lemberger Columbia Gorge Celilo Vineyards
Wind River Cellars 2006 Tempranillo Columbia Gorge
Cathedral Ridge Winery - Oregon Winery of the Year - Wine Press Northwest 2007!
Seattle Wine Awards 2007
Awards of Excellence
* Gold: Maryhill Winery 2006 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley
* Gold: Maryhill Winery 2006 Viognier, Columbia Valley
* Silver: Maryhill Winery 2004 Zinfandel Reserve
Vitner's Awards: Outstanding Washington Wine Honors
* Waving Tree Winery 2005 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley
* Maryhill Winery 2004 Sangiovese "Reserve"
* Maryhill Winery 2004 Syrah , Columbia Valley