Washington Wine of the Week – Selections for Winter, 2026
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.