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”

Keeping Up with Damsel Cellars

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There’s a winemaker in Woodinville who says, “Not all damsels are in distress.” That vintner is Mari Womak of Damsel Cellars. For nearly two years I’ve had the great pleasure of working with her. The truth is, a lot of winemakers relish days hiding out in the cellar. However, that’s not the case with Mari. In fact, keeping up with Damsel Cellars and all that Mari is doing can be a challenge.

Winemaker Mari Womak, photo courtesy of winery friend Wen (@grnlakegirl on Twitter)

Regardless, she’s still accessible to Damsel’s wine club and consumers. Perhaps that’s the secret to her success. Somehow, Mari knows how to make serious wine yet keep the tasting experience fun and engaging. It’s not about ego or being a “rockstar winemaker.” However, a rockstar partnership is indeed part of the story. Here’s a glimpse at what is keeping Damsel Cellars so busy besides her fantastic vino (pro tip:  her Mourvedre is particularly spectacular). If you’re a fan of supporting small locally owned businesses, take a look and plan to rescue some wine!

Hint:  read all the way to the bottom for a giveaway alert!

She’s Gone Hollywood

Continue reading “Keeping Up with Damsel Cellars”

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.

From Slow Wine to Fun Wine Itineraries in Seattle

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They’re here! If you’re curious about wineries with a sustainable focus, or interested in Seattle’s wine scene, my recent writing projects are now published.

Slow Wine Guide 2023

The secret is out! How do you find wines that are crafted with sustainable practices such as using grapes that are farmed without synthetic pesticides & herbicides? Get a copy of the Slow Wine Guide USA! The 2023 edition is now available.⁠
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I had the pleasure of interviewing 17 winemakers in Washington and Oregon for this edition, helping to grow the Pacific Northwest’s presence in this outstanding resource. It’s a true honor to spend time with these front runners as they walk me through their vines and pour their wines. ⁠

The guide may be ordered online via the Slow Food site.

Explore Seattle’s Urban Wineries in Pioneer Square and West Seattle

As a volunteer board member for Seattle Urban Wineries, I’ve been making the rounds to local tasting rooms. These day trips have inspired my latest articles on Explore Washington State.

If you think the only attraction worth visiting in Pioneer Square is the Underground Tour, think again! Three fantastic tasting rooms are within half a mile of each other. Plus, I share some insider recommendations for top places to eat, get coffee, peruse art, and shop. Get the whole run down on “Spending a Day in Pioneer Square.”

Go Wine Tasting in West Seattle

If you haven’t been to West Seattle since the bridge reopened, it’s time! Plan a day to explore three intimate tasting rooms along a one and a half mile stretch along California Avenue Southwest. Then discover some of the best eats in the neighborhood recommended by a resident winemaker.

Read the article, “Spending a Day Wine Tasting in West Seattle.”

There you have it, from slow wine to fun wine Itineraries in Seattle. For more wine travel inspiration see my itinerary for “Two Wine Soaked Days in Walla Walla,” or “How to Spend a Day in Woodinville Wine Country.”

Washington Wineries Attain Slow Wine Awards

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The Slow Wine Guide USA 2022 is now available. This edition includes twelve Washington wineries. That’s nine more than the 2021 edition. Better still, two are recognized with Slow Wine’s top honors. Read on for some insights about the Washington wineries that attained Slow Wine awards.

Of the 36 wines published in the Washington chapter for this edition of the Guide, nine are named Top Wines. Of the wines sampled, these represent the finest bottles from a sensory point of view. From cool climate Madeleine Angevine to the state’s first commercial plantings of Sagrantino, the varieties represented showcase the diversity of grapes that can  successfully grow in Washington. Combined with styles ranging from carbonic maceration to well-made pet nats, the wines in this publication exhibit the exciting range of winemaking in the state. Continue reading “Washington Wineries Attain Slow Wine Awards”