Tag: winemaker

Since its founding in 2001, family-owned Maryhill Winery has won more than 2,500 awards including Wine Press Northwest’s 2015 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year, the San Francisco International Wine Competition’s 2014 Winery of the Year, the Indy International Wine Competition’s 2013 Winemaker of the Year, and Seattle Magazine’s Best Destination Winery.

Maryhill Winery is the answer to an entrepreneurial dream shared by owners Craig and Vicki Leuthold who saw great potential for a winery in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, perched on the northern side of the Columbia River, in the southern tip of the Columbia Valley. Through the years, Maryhill has built a stunning portfolio of more than 50 wines of exceptional quality and surprisingly affordable price points. Under the direction of Winemaker Richard Batchelor, who has fostered relationships with some of Washington State’s most highly regarded growers in eight separate AVAs, the portfolio features many rare and unusual varietals, as well as award-winning classics, including a standout Single Vineyard Series collection for wine club members.

The Domaine Drouhin Oregon story began in Burgundy in 1880, with the founding of Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune. Joseph’s son, Maurice Drouhin, expanded the Drouhin estate including the purchase of the family’s signature vineyards in the Clos des Mouches. Maurice’s son, Robert Drouhin, continued the family practice of buying exceptional vineyards, and in 1987, purchased land in the Dundee Hills of Oregon. At the time of this extraordinary leap, there were only 65 wineries in the state, but Robert was inspired by the potential of the region, and by the close community of winemakers.

The historic Calistoga National Bank building in downtown Calistoga is now a charming tasting room and an ideal setting for Huge Bear Wines. Founded in 2006 by family members with a heritage in agriculture and love of wine, Huge Bear Wines embodies the spirit and history of California.

Beyond the fact that bears have always been an important symbol in California’s heritage, the winery’s name was inspired by an article uncovered in local historical archives. According to written lore, a huge bear repeatedly descended from the mountains in search of food and raided the home of the local justice of the peace.

With a history that dates back more than 150 years, Madrone Vineyards Estate is one of Sonoma Valley’s most historic wineries. The first vineyards were planted on the property in 1863, and a stone barrel cellar, built in 1887, still stands there today. Over the years, the property has changed hands through a few illustrious owners including Senator George Hearst, Italian sausage makers Enrico Parducci and Peter Domenici (who renamed the winery Valley of the Moon), and F. Korbel Brothers.

Whistle Punk, TriUmph, and Devil’s Smoke Stack are fanciful names for just three of the extraordinary wines crafted by Ray Sandidge, a renowned Washington State winemaking pioneer. Ray has devoted 30 years to making beautiful, superbly balanced red and white wines. Aside from short stints on Long Island, New York, and in the Rheingau region of Germany, Ray has spent 23 years making wines in Washington State.

Every bottle of classic, elegant Brian Carter Cellars wine tells the story of one man’s passion and the teamwork it takes to maintain his standard for crafting exemplary European-style blends. Brian is considered a pioneer in Washington State, where he has been an advocate for developing the quality and quantity of its varietals in many ways. Today, Brian Carter Cellars sources more than 20 varieties from more than a dozen different vineyards throughout central and eastern Washington. Each of these varietals is crafted separately in a small lot to fully express the distinctive characteristics of the grape and its vineyard. Brian then applies his master blending skills to handcraft a stunning portfolio of beautifully balanced blends that taste wonderful at release and also have the ability to improve with age.

For more than four decades, the elegant, world-class wines of Chalk Hill have provided a benchmark for Sonoma County, California. The exceptionally beautiful estate is carved into the hills atop the Russian River Valley, just over the ridge from Alexander Valley, and provides a compelling tapestry of soil types, sun exposure, and microclimates that yield wines of exceptional note.

Led by Winemaker Lisa Bishop Forbes, the winemaking team at Chalk Hill practices a light-handed, noninvasive philosophy to emulate the essence of the vineyard in each bottle of wine. This delicate touch yields vintage after vintage of acclaimed Burgundian-style Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Semillon, along with a luscious red blend, Estate Red.