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Columbia Winery
Part 3, Washington State: visiting one of North America's leading wine
growing regions
Columbia Winery was first started in 1962 by a group of 10 friends
(6 of whom were Washington State University Professors, led by the
dean of the psychology department, Dr Lloyd Woodburn. Indeed, the
winery began in his garage. Originally called the Associated
Vintners, it moved three times before settling in the building in
Woodinville that we visited,
in 1988. This was the winery until production moved to the Columbia
Valley in 1998.
In
1963 Associated Vintners planted the first vines at Harrison
Vineyard, and a big step was taken in 1979 when they hired David
Lake, the first MW in north America. They were the first to do
vineyard designate wines in the state in 1981, and in 1983 changed
their name to Columbia Winery. In 1988 David's first release of
Syrah was the first Washington State Syrah.
Columbia Winery is now owned by Gallo. Production has risen from 100
000 cases in 2012 to 400 000 cases today. Sean Hails has been
winemaker since 2012. Originally from Canada, he moved to Gallo to
work in the Central Coast of California before relocating to
Washington State.
THE WINES
Columbia
Winery Riesling 2013 Columbia Valley
Sweetly aromatic with ripe, textured citrus fruit and some pear and
spice notes. Generous, broad and appealing. 88/100
Columbia Winery Viognier 2013
Columbia Valley
Highly aromatic pear and peach fruit with fresh apricot and
spice notes. There's a bit of Riesling and Gewurztraminer in the
blend. Appealing. 89/100
Columbia Winery Chardonnay 2013
Columbia Valley
Sweetly aromatic nose with rounded pear and fig fruit, as well
as some grapey notes. Rounded, sweet palate with nice weight. 87/100
Columbia Winery Merlot 2013
Columbia Valley
Has a bit of Syrah in the blend. Sweet, ripe, berryish nose is
aromatic and fruity with a hint of herbiness. Midweight and juicy on
the palate with a touch of herbiness. Direct. 88/100
Columbia Winery Composition Red Blend NV
Columbia Valley
2011 and 2012. Rounded, plump and juicy with a bit of spiciness.
Nice and easy with berry fruits to the fore and nice smoothness.
87/100
Columbia Winery Element 2012 Wahluke Slope,
Columbia Valley
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sweet, vivid black cherry
and blackberry fruit with some spicy, tarry notes adding savoury
bite. Some grip and nice tannic structure. Savoury, drying finish.
88/100
Columbia Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Columbia Valley
10% Syrah in the blend. Sweet, slightly jammy blackcurrant fruit
nose. Supple, ripe palate with a slightly jammy blackcurrant fruit
nose. Easy style. 85/100
WASHINGTON STATE WINES
 Introduction
Betz
Columbia
Winery
De
Lille
WT
Vintners
Savage
Grace
Chateau
Ste Michelle
Andrew
Will
Airfield
Estates
Hedges
Milbrandt
Vineyards
Ciel
du Cheval Vineyard
Col
Solare
Powers/Badger
Mountain
J
Bookwalter
Pacific
Rim
Gordon
Estate
Long
Shadows
Seven
Hills
Charles
Smith
Geology
with Kevin Pogue
Leonetti
Woodward
Canyon
Gramercy
Cellars
L'Ecole
No 41
Columbia
Crest
Maryhill
Memaloose/Idiot's
Grace
COR
Cellars
Syncline
Wines
tasted 06/15
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