Washington State’s Top Eco-Friendly Wines

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A lot of wineries make claims that they’re sustainable. But are they really? It’s hard to know when there is no universal clarification of what sustainable means in the wine world. My advice is to decide what eco-friendly aspects of winemaking matter to you. Then, look for selections that align with those preferences. If thoughtfully crafted wine made from grapes grown without synthetic herbicides (e.g. Roundup) is on the list, here are some of Washington state’s top eco-friendly wines to seek out. These are selections I had the pleasure of evaluating for the Slow Wine Guide USA 2025 edition.

Beyond being herbicide free, these vinous creations are the culmination of incredibly thoughtful farming and winemakers pushing boundaries in our state. They are proof positive that responsible winemaking delivers wines of distinction. This is a big win for those who want to explore the world of wines crafted by people dedicated to caring for the land as well as their people and community.

Cayuse Vineyards & Bionic Wines

Walla Walla Valley Hors Categorie 2021 Syrah

If I could, I’d designate all the Bionic Wines as top wines. Alas, the guide only allows one award per winery. This exemplary winner offers aromas of leather and smoked meats that lead to a range of complex flavors. Blueberry, bacon and dark chocolate collide while wildly lively acidity pulsates before leading to a cooling herbal finish with a kiss of salinity.

While all of Christophe Baron’s vineyards involve laborious hands-on farming, the awe inspiring Hors Categorie site has a sixty-degree slope that necessitates using a winch.

 

Caprio Cellars

2021Walla Walla Valley Eleanor Estate Red Wine Continue reading “Washington State’s Top Eco-Friendly Wines”

Let’s Talk About Orange Wine

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A friend posted about orange wine on Instagram saying she hates to do so because the term leads many to ask her if it’s made from oranges. Sure, it’s not your garden variety wine but it’s been made for thousands of years. Perhaps we need to talk about orange wine?

I remember when I had my first orange wine from Washington. Gah! It was not for me. You know how when you make a cup of tea and accidentally let it steep too long and the aromatics are like *kapow*? Then, each sip leaves you with kitty cat tongue. Yeah, that’s what it was like. Subsequently, I tried one from another producer. Hmmm, better I thought. Then, I had the good fortune to travel to Slovenia and experience orange wine the way it was meant to be. There it is typically crafted from the Rebula grape, often spending months in large vessels. It was just right! Food friendly, too.

As winemakers here in the United States gain more experience crafting orange wines, I’m finding more to my taste. Here are some recent highlights from Washington state and beyond.

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Washington’s White Wines for the Adventurous

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If you’re part of the “Anything But Chardonnay” crowd, grab a glass and take a journey through an exotic landscape filled with flourishing blossoms and their enticing perfume, along with captivating textures. Close your eyes, tip your head back, then surrender to the bright flavors swirling around. Without further ado, here are seventeen of Washington’s white wines for the adventurous along with some reliable producers.

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Celebrate Earth Day with the Slow Wine Guide USA

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How about a glass of wine to celebrate Earth Day? In keeping with the theme, be sure it’s from an eco-friendly producer. How do you know whether a winery uses sustainable practices? If you ask Esther Mobley, Senior Wine Critic of the San Francisco Chronicle, “The best resource I can recommend is the Slow Wine Guide.”

It was my privilege to conduct 17 interviews in Washington and Oregon for the Slow Wine Guide USA 2023. Each winery entry provides a snapshot of the people, the vineyards, and wines.

Top Slow Wine Awards

When I received my author’s copy it was a thrill to see that two of the wineries I wrote about are among recipients of Slow Wine’s top award for their dedication to greener farming practices. This includes Bethel Heights Vineyard, one of Oregon’s pioneering wineries. In Washington, Hedges Family Estate achieved this special recognition.

Celebrate Earth Day and Learn More About Slow Wine

I’ve previously written about what Slow Wine means and why it matters as well as which Washington wineries attained Slow Wine Awards last year.

The Slow Wine Guide USA 2023 is $25 a copy. Purchases made directly from the Slow Food USA Bookshop help support ongoing work. This isn’t just a terrific resource for buying wine, it’s been helpful to me when planning trips to wine country.

Find more pictures and back stories about some of the wineries on my Instagram account including my tour of the Hors Categorie Vineyard of famed Bionic Wines (aka Cayuse), where Syrah vines grow on a 65 degree slope. Their biodynamic practices previously earned them Slow Wine’s top accolades.

Discover the Pecorino grape in my write up about a master class offered during the 2020 Slow Wine Tour.

Want to hear more about Washington wine and wineries in the guide? I was interviewed by Scott Cowan for the Explore Washington State podcast. Give it a listen!

About the Author

The founder of VinoSocial.wine, Nancy coaches wineries and wine regions on social media practices and provides marketing services. A graduate of the Northwest Wine Academy and a Certified Specialist of Wine, she works with wineries, wine regions, event producers, and wine competitions. In addition to writing for the Slow Wine Guide USA, her work has been published by Explore Washington State and Washington Tasting Room Magazine. She serves as Vice President of Seattle Urban Wineries.

A Simple Guide to Buying Wine

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Isn’t shopping for wine a bit like visiting Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory? Pass through the entrance and sense feelings of wonder and awe. How could there be so many choices? The wine, like a seemingly endless river of chocolate, brings on conflicting feelings of childlike joy and overwhelm! Caution should be exercised so that a lack of self-control doesn’t lead to catastrophe.

It’s a lot to cope with, I know. In order to maintain a sense of decorum AND not overspend, it’s a good idea to have a plan and stick to your mission. To that end, here is a simple guide to buying wine.

Begin with a Show of Restraint

My wine shopping strategy begins with a modicum of restraint. I take a bag to the shop that holds 6 bottles and make a pact with myself not to purchase more wine than the bag can carry. This is good for the budget and limited storage space.

Shop with Dinner in Mind

Next, I make a mental list of what types of wines we could use with dinner. What’s on the menu? I reflect on memories of travel and celebrations around the table. Then take some time pondering about what types of value wines might be of interest – are certain regions calling me?

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