Despite what the nagging, winter-like weather may suggest, we’re officially into spring, when many local wineries traditionally begin to unveil their new releases. I’m not entirely certain what constitutes a “local” winery, but my experience with foodies is that a locavore would support anything grown and produced within a 35 to a 100-mile radius from […]

My first experience with Pontin del Roza Winery was at the Tri-Cities Wine Festival in 1986. Winemaker Scott Pontin showcased one of his inaugural wines; an all-at-once sweet, tart and fruity chenin blanc with a flashy pink and silver label. I was hooked after just one sip. Over 25 years later, Pontin’s newer label (hopefully, […]

Mount Baker Vineyards’ Randy Finley could well be the role model for the old adage, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” As owner/winemaker, he’s dealt with his share of setbacks over the past several years yet continued to make consistently high quality wines as Whatcom County’s oldest winery. For starters, Finley lost not one, […]

There’s an interesting story about the winemaking background of Victor Palencia, winemaker at Jones of Washington Wine in Quincy. Palencia took an interest in winemaking when he was in his teens. Then he attended and graduated from Walla Walla Community College’s Enology and Viticulture Institute, and went to work as winemaker at Willow Crest Winery […]

One of the best parts of my job is watching a winery – like a good wine – develop and mature with each passing year. That’s certainly the case with Two Mountain Winery in Zillah. Brothers Matt and Patrick Rawn have come a long way since their first vintage in 2002. I’ve followed their winery […]