Two new Mid-Columbia wineries, Maryhill and Caon de Sol, are open this summer, thanks in part to help from some winery friends.
Maryhill, a nicely sized destination winery just a canyon away from the famous Maryhill Museum in the Columbia Gorge, had its first vintages made at Hogue Cellars in Prosser.
Caon de Sol, a tiny farmer-owned winery in Badger Canyon not far from the Tri-Cities, used the assistance of Charlie Hoppes of Three Rivers Winery in Walla Walla and Barnard Griffin Winery in Richland to turn out two delicious first wines.
Caon de Sol owner Victor Cruz is a Badger Canyon orchardist who grew up in Wapato with Hoppes, a former winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle and now at Three Rivers. Cruz admits his childhood chum helped nurture his desire to be a winemaker himself.
Cruz's production is tiny: 371 cases for the 1999 crush and about 650 cases for the 2000 crush.
The winery is open by appointment by calling 509-588-6311, or try the Web site at www.canondesol.com. Here's a look at the first bottlings:
Caon de Sol 1999 merlot, Columbia Valley - An outstanding first effort. Loaded with fruit, sweet plums and delicious flavors, including mocha, blackberries and big tannins. $24.
Caon de Sol 1999 syrah, Columbia Valley - Sweet French oak aromas open up this wine, which has plenty of fruit, including cherries. Good tannins. $30.
Maryhill is the brain child of Spokanites Craig and Vicki Leuthold, who caught the wine bug while involved with the small Cascade Cliffs Winery near Wishram.
A mile from the museum, they built an attractive winery on a bluff with a panoramic view of the Columbia Gorge. It's about a two-hour drive from the Tri-Cities and makes a great stopping point on a trip to Portland.
The winery sells picnic supplies to put to use at its nice picnic area and is attracting several hundred visitors every weekend.
The winemaker is John Haw.
The winery's toll-free number is 877-627-9445. The Web site is www.maryhillwinery.com.
Maryhill Winery 1999 pinot gris, Columbia Valley - Grapefruit aromas and flavors, a bit tart on the tongue, crisp and a nice dry finish. $11.
Maryhill Winery 1999 sangiovese, Columbia Valley - Very fruity raspberries, dry but refreshing with a clean, slightly tart finish and a healthy dose of tannins. $20.
Maryhill Winery 1999 merlot, Columbia Valley - Sweet oak and spice aromas, very berry flavors, bright and tasty. $18.
Maryhill Winery 1999 muscat canelli, Yakima Valley - Abundant floral aromas with honey, grapefruit and peach flavors. It finishes dry. Great with brunch. Made at Horizon Edge. $12.50.
Maryhill Winery 2000 Columbia Valley sauvignon blanc - Pears and citrus with crisp finish. A hint of licorice flavors. $11.
Maryhill Winery 1999 syrah, Columbia Valley - Vanilla oak aromas with good berry backup. Cherry and plum jam, tasty and rich. $22.
New releases
Three Rivers Winery 1999 sangiovese Columbia Valley - Oak and vanilla aromas with black cherries mark this easy-drinking red with good layers of flavors. $30.
Three Rivers Winery 1999 syrah Columbia Valley - Good oak aromas, dry Bing cherries, chocolate with a chewy finish. $28.
Preston Premium Wines 1998 merlot reserve - Outstanding. A big merlot with lots of depth. Toasty oak aromas, currants on the palate and a chewy, full-flavored finish. $22.
Chateau Ste. Michelle 1999 chardonnay Indian Wells Vineyard - Good vanilla toasty oak aromas with citrus and tropical fruit flavors and a crisp finish. $22.
Ste. Chapelle 1999 Idaho chardonnay - An outstanding food-friendly wine. Rich fruit flavors, apples, lemon and tropical fruit. Well balanced, clean and dry, Great with poached halibut. A best buy at $7.
Ste. Chapelle 1999 Idaho chardonnay, winemaker's series - Impressive acids, flavorful fruit with lingering aftertaste. Another good food wine. Try Chilean sea bass. $12.
Woodward Canyon 1998 cabernet sauvignon old vines Columbia Valley - A Walla Walla Valley classic in style. Big, fruity, complex with great oak and black fruit. Lots of good tannins makes this a keeper. $60.
Claar Cellars 2000 sauvignon blanc Columbia Valley - Dry and crisp with flavors and aromas of tart apples and tropical fruit. $12.
Print
E-Mail
