Washington Wine of the Week – Selections for Winter, 2026

For the week of March 15, 2026: :Nota Bene Cellars 2019 Arianses Vineyard Red Blend – Seattle winemaker Tim Narby makes it a practice to hold his wines for several years prior to release, so in spite of the later vintage date, this wine was just entered in the last year’s Pacific Northwest Wine Competition, where it picked up a much-deserved, unanimous Gold Medal from the judging panel…which equates to a Double Gold Medal.

Red currant and red licorice flavors lead off, with a big layer of darker fruits on the mid-palate and finish including blackberry, black currant, Italian plum, and black olive, as well as a touch of earthiness. Sturdy tannins suggest even longer cellaring, although the wine is really hitting it’s stride today after proper aeration. Sourced from Arianses Vineyard in Washington’s Wahluke Slope AVA, the blend is a combination of 35% Cab Sauv, 34% Merlot 17% Petit Verdot and 14% Cab Franc.

For the week of March 8, 2026: Celebrate Washington Wine Month with Merlot – Merlot is one of the state’s long-time varietals that help put it on the wine industry map decades ago. This reliable, solid Washington red has a hugely loyal fan base, and with its reputation as an excellent dual-purpose food-pairing and solo-sipping favorite, it’s no wonder.

A trio of Pacific Northwest Wine Competition Gold Medalists to consider: The Page Cellars 2020 Lick My Lips Merlot, which displays rich plum, black cherry and vanilla flavors balanced by great acidity; the Whitman Hill Winery 2022 Merlot, with savory bell pepper aromas and flavors along with red licorice, maraschino cherry and black olive; and the Chelan Ridge Winery 2018 Merlot, loaded with dark fruits and capped with yummy touches of caramel and toffee.

For the week of March 1, 2026: Cairdeas Winery 2025 Picardan – This ultra-obscure Rhone white varietal, – grown only in Washington State at Cairdeas’ estate winery near Lake Chelan – carries a uniqueness factor that makes it absolutely worth searching out. The flavor profile largely resembles the grape’s cousin, Picpoul Blanc: lots of racy acidity and a base of green pear and citrus fruit. But Picardan also carries a faintly spicy finishing note. This wine should pair perfectly with fresh shrimp, shellfish, or just about any pasta dish served with an alfredo sauce. Cairdeas’ tasting room is located on the north shore of the lake, just a few minutes east of the lovely little town of Manson.

For the week of February 22, 2026: Maryhill Winery 2023 Chardonnay Classic – Aged in a combination of stainless and oak, this Chardonnay is surprisingly tropical, with lots of mango, guava, and pineapple aromas and flavors for starters, followed by stone fruit and ripe melon. The oak influence also leads to additional flavors of banana nut bread, toasted caramel, and butterscotch, with a finish of lemon creme and a hint of oyster shell. It’s absolutely yummy. But the news keeps getting even better: the wine is currently priced at only around $23 a bottle, making this ‘classic’ chard a classic, case-worthy choice that gives you a lot of bang for the buck.

For the week of February 15, 2026: Larc Hill Vineyard Ranch 2022 Tuck’s Run – Four words: chewy, chocolate, cherry, cordial. OK, there’s much more to this wine than that, but these descriptors really stand out, taste after taste. You’ll also find flavors of boysenberry jam and espresso, along with a touch of sweet tobacco, graphite and plum skins on the finish. Try it with a medium-rare steak and a baked potato are you’re set. The blend consists of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cabernet Sauvignon, and the wine scored a Double Gold and 93 points at the 2025 Pacific Northwest Wine Competition. Bonus selection: Larc Hill’s 2022 Estate Barrel Select Reserve Syrah, which scored a Double Gold and 94 points at the same competition, and then went on to earn a stunning 98 points and Double Platinum medal at the Great Northwest Wine Platinum Awards.

For the week of February 8, 2026: Eleven Winery 2023 Lemma – This seriously fun wine from the Bainbridge Island winery is crafted in a 60/40 ratio using the oftentimes overlooked Lemberger grape from Red Mountain’s Kiona Vineyards, plus a Merlot from Sunset Bench Vineyard (also located within the Red Mountain AVA). There’s a gentle whiff of clove-like baking spices on the nose, and a bit of savory/fruity tension on the palate that give it a surprisingly full-bodied quality. It’s soppressata vs. lots of brambly berries and cherries jubilee, fighting it out and yet meshing beautifully. The wine consumer is the real winner here, and this combination is a perfect example of ‘best of both worlds’ blending that should appeal to a wide variety of red wine enthusiasts.

For the week of February, 1, 2026: Echolands Winery 2024 Semi-Carbonic Cinsault – Echolands Winemaker and General Manager Brian Rudin has been with the winery a little over two years, and he’s just beginning to put his stamp on several new and upcoming releases. This amazing little ‘oddball’ red varietal (as Rudin playfully refers to it), is marked with a fresh, fruity quality that’s perfect for luncheons and lighter cuisine. The nose is slightly herbaceous, with notes of strawberry, cranberry and red raspberry that carry over to the palate, while the bright finish is capped with red licorice and a hint of caramel. Designed to be consumed while young, Rudin recommends that you serve this wine chilled and enjoy it over the next two to three years. Double Gold medalist and 94 points at the 2025 Pacific Northwest Wine Competition.

For the week of January 25, 2026: Upcoming releases from Henry Earl Estates – Keep your eye open for several new red wine releases coming from Walla Walla-based Henry Earl Estates. It’s difficult to pick a favorite, because they all are gorgeous, easy-to-drink selections that you can enjoy now or use to stock your cellar. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2018 Red Blend are both jaw-droppingly delicious, and a trio of 2023 vintage reds, a Cab Franc, a Malbec, and a Cab Sauv are absolutely amazing. A personal top pick: the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is loaded with super-dark plum, candied blackberry, and cassis flavors while the finish displays a rich quality with notes of sweet tobacco and café au lait. This has all the makings of a great “cigar wine,” with big, bold characteristics, a mile-long finish, and plenty of depth.

For the week of January 18, 2026: Navarre Coulee Vineyards 2024 Franc Blanc – Want to have some fun at your next wine tasting? Try this amazing little white wine from Navarre Coulee Owner/Winemaker Paul Taylor. Yes, it’s a Cabernet Franc and yes, it’s a white wine without even a hint of blush.

Opening with a gentle aroma of orange blossoms, it’s packed with juicy cantaloupe, kiwi, honeydew, and Casaba melon flavors. There’s also a nice spritz of lime zest and notes of lemongrass on the fringes, giving it a bit of swagger, brightness and structure. Serve it chilled and prepare to be dazzled by this absolutely delicious wine, which earned a Gold medal and 91 points at the 2025 Pacific Northwest Wine Competition.

Taylor recently moved his tasting room to a prime spot in beautiful downtown Manson, Washington which is just a stone’s throw from scenic Lake Chelan.

For the week of January 11, 2026: Bledsoe Family Winery 2024 Viognier – Washington State University alum Drew Bledsoe is one of a number of former NFL players with ties to a Washington winery. But Bledsoe’s wine roots go deeper than that; he was raised in Walla Walla and returned to the area after his professional football career came to a close. Here, he teams with winemaker Josh McDaniels to produce this beautifully crafted and highly contemplative Viognier. Honeysuckle aromatics lead to generous, fresh peach flavors that carry a melt-in-your-mouth richness on the palate. There’s also a lovely note of creamy nectarine on the extreme finish, the product of seven months sur lie in neutral French barrels.

For the week of January 4, 2026: Revelry Vintners 2023 Grenache Blanc – Primarily used for blending, Grenache Blanc is gaining traction in Washington as a stand-alone varietal that makes a nice alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño. This excellent choice from Revelry Winemaker/Founder Jared Burns is super-delicious, with slightly floral and citrus aromatics, flavors of green melon and Granny Smith apple, and a closing note of lemon zest. While the wine’s bracing acidity comes through on the finish, it also carries a bit of richness, making it an excellent white wine pairing partner with seafood such as scallops, salmon, tuna or crab. Sourced from Washington’s Painted Hills Vineyard.

A visit to Revelry’s tasting room is first-class on all levels, with sweeping views of the Walla Walla Valley, excellent service, and a very reasonable $20 tasting fee that includes a splash of Rosé at the door and five additional pours in separate Riedel stems. A menu of small bites that includes items such as tin fish, cheeses, and focaccia make perfect food pairings for those looking for a nosh to accompany their tastings. Open Thursday through Monday from 11 am to 4 pm, with reservations available online at revelryvintners.com.

For the week of December 28, 2025: Bring on the Bubbles! – It wasn’t too long ago that it was a bit of a novelty for Washington wineries to produce a sparkling wine. Now, it’s commonplace for many of them to offer at least one sparkler, frequently sourced from grapes grown in Oregon and Washington State. A few recommendations to consider as we get ready to toast the New Year: Dama Wines has just released a new Sparkling Rosé that’s creating a lot of buzz for winemaker Mary Derby; Victor Palencia’s Monarcha Winery label features a delicious 2023 Sparkling Rosé with fruit-forward strawberry/cranberry flavors without the sweetness, while his Palencia Winery 2024 Sparkling Albariño scored 94-points at the 2025 Pacific Northwest Wine Competition.

Other sparkling wine medalists at the 2025 Competition that should be on your must-try list include winemaker Roger Lemstrom’s Walla Walla Valley AVA-sourced Los Rocosos Vineyards 2022 Luz Cereza Brut Sparkling Sangiovese, which earned a Double Gold, and two Gold medalists: Capital Call Vintners 2023 Blanc de Blancs and Lake Chelan’s La Garza Cellars 2019 Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Brut, each comprised of 100% Chardonnay.

For the week of December 21, 2025: House of Smith/Sixto Roza Hills 2021 Chardonnay – From winemakers Charles Smith (and since departed) Brennan Leighton comes this voluptuous, sexy Chardonnay, sourced from the Rattlesnake Hills AVA in south central Washington.

Peach cobbler, marzipan, and fresh apricot aromatics and flavors leap from the glass, with buttered French toast, a sprinkle of allspice, and citrus accents on the persistent finish. Aged 50/50 in concrete and oak, this wine should pair perfectly with holiday poultry dishes and is equally fit for winter weather sipping. House of Smith features tasting rooms in Seattle’s Georgetown area as wells as downtown Walla Walla.