KENNEWICK, Wash. - Grapes from one of Washington's original wine regions won best of show Saturday night at the 31st annual Tri-Cities Wine Festival.
Upland Winery's 2007 Malbec from Snipes Mountain in the Yakima Valley was the top wine out of 387 judged over three days.
Upland is one of Washington's newest wineries, opening in 2006, but it has one of the state's oldest histories. In 1917, William Bridgman planted some of Washington's first wine grapes on Snipes Mountain near Sunnyside. After Prohibition was repealed in 1933, he opened Upland Winery. Bridgman, a two-time mayor of Sunnyside, died in 1968 and the winery closed in 1972. The land then was purchased by the Newhouse family, which continues to farm it today and owns the new Upland Winery.
Earlier this year, Snipes Mountain was approved by the federal government as an official American Viticultural Area, or appellation, one of 11 in Washington.
Three colleges entered their wines in this year's competition: Yakima Valley Community College (Yakima Valley Vintners), Walla Walla Community College (College Cellars) and South Seattle Community College (Northwest Wine Academy), all of which offer viticulture and winemaking degrees. Each college earned medals alongside the professionally made wines.
This year's judges were: Lane Hoss, vice president of marketing for Anthony's Restaurants; Coke Roth, a Kennewick attorney and Red Mountain grape grower; Richard Larsen, a plant pathologist at Washington State University in Prosser; Keith Bown, vice president of winemaking for Vincor Canada in Ontario; Eric Degerman, managing editor of Wine Press Northwest magazine in Kennewick; and Michael Moyer, instructor of wine science at Walla Walla Community College.
The festival is run by the Tri-Cities Wine Society. The results of the competition were announced Saturday night at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.
Best of show
Upland Winery 2007 Malbec
Double gold/Best of class
Airfield Estates 2008 Bombshell Red
Barnard Griffin Winery 2007 Merlot
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2008 Eroica Riesling
Coyote Canyon Winery 2008 Downtown White
Coyote Canyon Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Jones of Washington 2008 Wahluke Slope Estate Vineyards Chardonnay
Mercer Estates 2008 Pinot Gris
Skylite Cellars 2008 Viognier
Smasne Cellars 2007 Block 3 Lawrence Vineyard Syrah
Steppe Cellars 2006 Artemisia
Three Rivers Winery 2007 Weinbau Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Gold/Best of class
Coyote Canyon Winery 2008 Life is a Rose
Wy'East Vineyards 2008 Blue Chip Pinot Noir
Double gold
Abacela 2006 Estate Tempranillo
Basel Cellars Estate Winery 2006 Inspired
CAVU Cellars 2006 Horizon Red
Claar Cellars 2008 Ice Wine
Coyote Canyon Winery 2007 Big John Cabernet Reserve
Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Blanc de Noirs
Hedges Family Estate 2006 Three Vineyards
Hedges Family Estate 2008 CMS Red
Kiona Vineyards and Winery 2008 Late Harvest Riesling
Le Chateau Winery 2006 Masterpiece Red #1
Milbrandt Vineyards 2008 Traditions Riesling
Northwest Wine Academy 2007 Syrah
Pend d'Oreille Winery 2007 Bistro Rouge
Rock Meadow Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Russell Creek Winery 2007 Tributary
San Juan Vineyards 2006 Merlot
San Juan Vineyards 2006 Syrah
Tasawik Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Tsillan Cellars 2008 Estate Reserve Gewurztraminer
Gold
Airfield Estates 2008 Spitfire
Anelare 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Barnard Griffin Winery 2007 Malbec
Barrister Winery 2007 Cabernet Franc
Bunchgrass Winery 2006 Syrah
Camas Prairie Winery 2008 Wild Plum
Challenger Ridge Vineyard and Cellars 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2006 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2007 Cold Creek Vineyard Chardonnay
Coyote Canyon Winery 2007 Syrah
DavenLore Winery 2008 Riesling
Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Extra Dry
Gamache Vintners 2007 Estate Riesling
Gamache Vintners 2005 Estate Syrah
Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2007 Merlot
Heymann Whinery NV Cranberry wine
Hogue Cellars 2006 Malbec
Hogue Cellars 2008 Muscat Canelli
Kestrel Vintners 2006 Winemaker Select Cabernet Franc
Kestrel Vintners 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Kestrel Vintners 2008 Viognier
Kestrel Vintners NV Holiday Edition
Kiona Vineyards Winery 2008 Ice Wine
Lake Chelan Winery 2008 Chelan County
Lone Canary Winery 2007 Syrah
Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 The Estates Merlot
Milbrandt Vineyards 2007 The Estates Late Harvest Riesling
Mount Baker Vineyards 2008 Barrel Select Chardonnay
Mount Baker Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Franc
Northwest Wine Academy 2007 Barbera
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Gewurztraminer
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Wallula Vineyard Biodynamic Riesling
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Sweet Riesling
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Chenin Blanc
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Autumnus White
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Autumnus Red
Pend d'Oreille Winery 2006 Meyer Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Rock Meadow Cellars 2007 Rockin' Red
Saint Laurent Estate Winery 2006 Wahluke Cabernet
Samson Estates Winery 2008 Riesling
San Juan Vineyards 2008 Riesling
Silver Lake Winery 2008 Roza Riesling
Skylite Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Skylite Cellars 2005 Big Red Hiney
Smasne Cellars 2006 Kenner Ray Red Wine
Smasne Cellars 2006 Clone #6 Cabernet Sauvignon
Steppe Cellars 2006 Merlot
Steppe Cellars 2008 Riesling
Three Rivers Winery 2008 Riesling
Thurston Wolfe Winery 2007 Petite Sirah
Thurston Wolfe Winery 2007 Dr. Wolfe's Family Red
Tildio Winery 2006 Estate Syrah
Tsillan Cellars 2008 Estate Riesling
Tsillan Cellars 2007 Estate Barrel Select Syrah
Upland Winery 2007 Vintage Muscat Ice
Vin du Lac 2007 Barrel Select Syrah
Vine Heart Winery NV Sangiovese
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2008 Pinot Gris
Willow Crest Winery 2008 Pinot Gris
Windy Point Vineyards 2006 Exclamation Point!
Windy Point Vineyards 2006 Pointless Red
Yakima Valley Vintners 2008 Primitivo
Silver
Abacela 2008 Albarino
Abacela 2006 Port
Airfield Estates 2008 Lightning
Airfield Estates 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2007 Gravity Merlot
Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2006 Alderdale Cabernet Sauvignon
Anelare 2006 Syrah
Barnard Griffin Winery 2008 Pinot Gris
Barnard Griffin Winery 2007 Late Harvest Muscat Canelli
Barrister Winery NV Rough Justice
Basalt Cellars 2006 Syrah
Basalt Cellars 2006 Rim Rock Red
Basalt Cellars 2007 Malbec
Basel Cellars Estate Winery 2006 Estate Merlot
Bunchgrass Winery 2006 Walla Walla Valley Triolet
CAVU Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
CAVU Cellars 2008 Barbera
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2006 Ethos Cabernet Sauvignon
Claar Cellars 2008 Chardonnay
Claar Cellars 2006 Courneauxcopia
Claar Cellars NV Fouled Anchor Port
College Cellars 2008 Willard Farms
Columbia Crest Winery 2006 Walter Clore Private Reserve Red Wine
Coyote Canyon Winery 2008 Albarino
DavenLore Winery 2007 Durif
Desert Wind Winery 2007 Ruah
Desert Wind Winery 2007 Viognier
DiStefano Winery 2005 Meritage
DiStefano Winery 2005 Syrah R
Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Blanc de Blancs
Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Brut
Elegante Cellars 2007 Sangiovese
Elegante Cellars 2007 Malbec
Eliseo Silva 2008 La Rosa de Syrah
Evergreen Vineyards 2008 Riesling
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2006 Ginkgo Red
Glen Fiona Winery 2004 Merlot
Glen Fiona Winery 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Gordon Brothers Cellars 2008 Chardonnay
Gordon Brothers Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Gordon Brothers Cellars 2007 Kamiak Rock Lake Red
Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2007 Laid Back Cab
Hidden Legend Winery NV Wild Chokeberry Mead
Hightower Cellars 2006 Red Mountain Red Wine
Hogue Cellars 2006 Terroir Red Wine
Hogue Cellars 2008 Terrior White Table
Hoodsport Winery 2008 Pinot Gris
Hoodsport Winery NV Blackberry
Jones of Washington 2006 Wahluke Slope Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Jones of Washington 2006 Jack's Reserve
Kestrel Vintners 2006 Signature Edition Boushey Merlot
Kiona Vineyards Winery 2008 Dry Riesling
Kiona Vineyards Winery 2008 Riesling
Kiona Vineyards Winery 2007 Chenin Blanc
Kiona Vineyards Winery 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
Kiona Vineyards Winery 2006 Zinfandel
Kiona Vineyards Winery 2008 Big Kiona Zinfandel
Le Chateau Winery 2006 Sangiovese
Lone Canary Winery 2007 Barbera
Marshal's Winery 2007 Pinot Noir
Marshal's Winery 2004 Cabernet Franc
Mercer Estates 2007 Sauvignon Blanc
Mercer Estates 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 The Estates Malbec
Mount Baker Vineyards 2008 Proprietor's Limited Release Viognier
Naches Heights Vineyard 2008 Pinot Gris
Naches Heights Vineyard 2007 Two Dancers
Northstar Winery 2006 Merlot
Northwest Wine Academy 2008 Muscat Love
Northwest Wine Academy 2008 Chardonnay
Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2005 Bench Rock
Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2006 Riesling Ice Wine
Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2007 Dry Riesling
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Wallula Vineyard Riesling
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Solstice Vineyard Riesling
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Riesling
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Framboise
Portrait Cellars 2005 Red Wine
Preston Premium Wines 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Rock Meadow Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc
RockWall Cellars 2008 Riesling
RockWall Cellars 2008 Auxerrois
RockWall Cellars 2008 Lula
Russell Creek Winery 2007 Sangiovese
Saint Laurent Estate Winery 2006 Merlot
San Juan Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Franc
Silver Lake Winery 2007 Merlot
Skylite Cellars 2008 Rose
Snoqualmie Vineyards 2007 Whistle Stop Red, Cabernet Merlot
Snoqualmie Vineyards 2008 Winemaker's Select Riesling
Steppe Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sweet Valley Wines 2007 Righteous Red
Sweet Valley Wines 2008 Viognier
Tagaris Winery 2007 Merlot
Tagaris Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasawik Vineyards 2005 Merlot
Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard 2005 Onyx
Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard 2004 Winemaker's Barrel Select Syrah
Three Rivers Winery 2008 Chardonnay
Three Rivers Winery 2007 Tempranillo
Thurston Wolfe Winery 2008 PGV
Thurston Wolfe Winery 2007 J.T.W. Reserve Port
Tildio Winery 2008 Estate Riesling
Trio Vintners 2007 RIOT
Tsillan Cellars 2008 Estate Gewurztraminer
Tsillan Cellars 2007 Bellissima Rossa
Tsillan Cellars 2007 Estate Sinistra
Tsillan Cellars 2007 Estate Syrah
Tsillan Cellars 2007 Estate Malbec
Upland Winery 2007 Syrah
Upland Winery 2008 Viognier-Chenin Blanc
Upland Winery 2006 Old Vine Cabernet
Vin du Lac 2006 Barrel Select Merlot
Vin du Lac 2008 Lehm Riesling
Vin du Lac 2007 Barrel Select Cabernet Franc
Vin du Lac 2006 Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon
Vine Heart Winery NV Tempranillo
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Founders' Reserve Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Elton Vineyard Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2008 Whole Cluster Fermented Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Riesling
Willow Crest Winery 2006 Syrah
Yakima Valley Vintners 2008 Teacher's Pet
Yakima Valley Vintners 2007 Graduates Lost Hyrah
Yakima Valley Vintners 2008 Class Project
Bronze
Cable Bridge Wines N/V Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
Cable Bridge Wines N/V Riesling
Challenger Ridge Vineyard and Cellars 2007 Faye Red Blend
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2007 Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay
Columbia Crest Winery 2006 Reserve Merlot
Coyote Canyon Winery 2007 Syrah
Coyote Canyon Winery 2008 Viognier
Coyote Canyon Winery 2006 Tres Cruces
DavenLore Winery 2006 Merlot
Desert Wind Winery 2007 Sangiovese
DiStefano Winery 2006 Winemaker's Reserve
Elegante Cellars 2008 Strawberry
Eliseo Silva 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Evergreen Vineyards 2008 Jardiniere Rose, Rosie the Riveter Edition
Flying Dutchman Winery 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Flying Dutchman Winery 2005 Dutchman's Red
Frenchman Hills Winery 2005 Syrah
Gamache Vintners 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Gilstrap Brothers Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2007 Pinot Noir
Glen Fiona Winery 2004 Claret
Glen Fiona Winery 2006 Basket Press Syrah
Hidden Legend Winery NV Wild Elderberry Mead
Hightower Cellars 2007 Murray Cuvee
Hightower Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Hoodsport Winery 2007 Chardonnay
Hoodsport Winery NV Loganberry Dream
JLC Winery/Spofford Station 2004 JLC Palette
Jones of Washington 2008 Estates Vineyards Riesling
Jones of Washington 2008 Estates Vineyards Viognier
Kiona Vineyards Winery 2007 Sangiovese Rose
Kiona Vineyards Winery 2004 Cab-Merlot
Lake Chelan Winery 2006 Merlot
Lake Chelan Winery 2008 Chardonnay
Lake Chelan Winery 2006 Rivers Bend Estate Syrah
Lone Canary Winery 2007 Sangiovese
Martinez & Martinez Winery 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Mercer Estates 2007 Merlot
Mount Baker Vineyards 2006 Proprietor's Limited Release Tempranillo
Northwest Wine Academy 2008 Viognier
Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2008 Gewurztraminer
Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2005 Barrel Select
Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2006 Chardonnay Ice Wine
Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2008 Pinot Grigio
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Selenium Vin de Glaciere
Pend d'Oreille Winery 2007 Primitivo
Portrait Cellars 2005 Merlot
Preston Premium Wines 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Preston Premium Wines 2008 Late Harvest White Riesling
Rock Meadow Cellars 2008 Chardonnay
Rock Meadow Cellars 2007 Syrah
RockWall Cellars 2007 Merlot
RockWall Cellars 2007 Generation
RockWall Cellars 2007 Second Generation
Saint Laurent Estate Winery 2006 Syrah
Silver Lake Winery 2007 Chardonnay Reserve
Silver Lake Winery 2007 Cabernet
Smasne Cellars 2006 Petit Verdot
Steppe Cellars 2008 Gewurztraminer
Sweet Valley Wines 2007 Double Barrel Red
Tagaris Winery 2007 Malbec
Tasawik Vineyards 2008 Rose
Tasawik Vineyards 2006 Hailstorm Red
Tasawik Vineyards 2008 Studio B Groovy White Blend
Tildio Winery 2006 Estate Tempranillo
Tsillan Cellars 2008 Estate Dry Riesling
Upland Winery 2007 Gewurztraminer
Vin du Lac 2008 Lehm Sauvignon Blanc
Vin du Lac 2008 Lehm Pinot Gris
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