Andrew Browne, the boyish, energetic 38-year-old founder and chief executive of Washington's fastest-growing wine company, Precept Brands, admits to being a little lucky. But it takes more than luck to grow a start-up wine company to the largest privately held wine company in Washington state in just five years.

Who would have thought that a machinist at Continental Can Co. in Walla Walla, Wash., would launch a winery that not only would help define a statewide industry but also ultimately transform a town best known for wheat farming and a state penitentiary?

Through its first 30 years, Leonetti Cellar has earned its reputation as Washington's best winery by never settling for anything less than the best. And as the second generation takes over the winery, that focus could not be in better hands with Chris Figgins.

The first time I met Gary Figgins of Leonetti Cellar some 30 years ago, he was coming out of the basement of his Walla Walla, Wash., home carrying a bottle of homemade Cabernet Sauvignon.

John Stuart's ultimate goal for wine lovers was to offer them an experience they can't enjoy at gas pumps in Oregon - self-service.

A $3.5 million project called the Red Mountain View Wine Complex is being developed in West Richland, Wash., by Stacie and Russ Hamilton of Kennewick.

The Palouse region of southeastern Washington and Idaho has long been known for its rolling fields of wheat and lentils, rival university towns and unforgettable sunsets.

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Each issue, Wine Press Northwest sends wine to two chefs with a passion for our region's wines. The chefs are asked to match a recipe to the selected wine.

With all due respect to stretches of the Oregon and California coastlines, perhaps the most beautiful drive in America is through the Columbia River Gorge.

Whether you've read about it in wine publications or seen it on the bottle, you've no doubt noticed the rising level of alcohol in wine.

My love for Riesling should know no bounds, but alas there is a drawback that has me gnashing my teeth. Is Riesling's image that of a sweet wine?

Each issue, Braiden Rex-Johnson matches four Pacific Northwest wines with fresh regional ingredients.

During my visits to wineries, I regularly hear or read about "gravity fed" being used during the winemaking process. What's it all about?

On a recent horseback ride through vineyards in Zillah, Wash., apparently, we weren't the only ones tasting juice.

Bargain Bob traditionally gets excited when he finds a wine under $10, so how come he's all energized by a red wine that costs around $20?

The rising price of gasoline is not having much of an effect on Martin-Scott Winery.

Tony Rynders, longtime winemaker for Domaine Serene near Dundee, Ore., has left to begin his own winery and launch a consulting business.

Mortimer's Idaho Cuisine in downtown Boise, one of the first restaurants in the state to showcase Northwest wines, will close effective June 21.

For the second consecutive year, a wine from British Columbia has won best of show at the annual Northwest Wine Summit in Oregon.

Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, Wash., brought home top honors in May at the Riverside International Wine Competition in Southern California, winning best white wine for its 2007 Dry Riesling, a $10 wine.

Though noteworthy enough to be included in Washington wine history books, Upland Vineyards near the tiny Yakima Valley town of Outlook, Wash., has been relatively unknown for decades.