Although winery tasting rooms were forced to close in March, maintaining a steady supply of wine hasn’t been a problem in our house! In order to stay afloat during these wildly challenging times, wineries have provided consumers all kinds of offers. A library vertical – yes, please! A mystery library pack – sign me up! Shipping included – okay! In other words, I’ve discovered some terrific deals. Revealed here are eight Washington Wines worth staying home for and what to pair with them. August is Washington Wine Month so don’t let it pass you by without trying some of these soul satisfying wines priced from just $17-36.
Eight Washington Wines to Pair
Cairdeas
Cinsault
$36 SRP + ground shipping included with 6 or more bottles (it arrives next day in WA!).
My tasting notes read, “Holy crap this Cinsault is so freaking good!” Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon fame told me that he believes Cinsault is a grape of the future for the New World. I certainly hope so because I need more of this wine in my life.
Unfortunately, this exceptional wine has since sold out at the winery. Isn’t it better to let people know about it than to let the wine and winery go unnoticed, though? Besides, another vintage is anticipated to be released this fall. That gives you time to sign up for the winery’s emails and follow them on social media to be notified when that happens. I would also encourage anyone who is excited about Rhône varieties to try Cairdeas wines. They have a “concrete collection” wine bundle that makes me weak in the knees just thinking about it. Their Grenache Blanc is a great accompaniment to my tomato salad on a bed of herbed yogurt.
Try this Cinsault if you like the idea of a Pinot Noir by way of the Rhône. The color and weight of the wine are similar to Pinot. However, a robust aroma of gunpowder followed by a savory meets zesty spiciness on the palate confirms Rhône.
Pair with barbecued chicken and ribs – if you want someone else to do the cooking try Surrell’s takeout, it’s our absolute favorite.
College Cellars
2017 “La Laurelia” Sangiovese
$30 SRP
This Walla Walla based school with a licensed winery is one of the only two-year teaching commercial wineries in the United States. Over 200 College Cellars graduates have embarked on careers in the wine industry, the first among them being talented winemaker Chris Peterson of Avennia, Passing Time, and Liminal Winery.
The wines produced at the school represent terrific value and may be ordered online (link below). As I write this, there is $10 flat rate shipping available for purchases of 6-12 bottles. The elegant “La Laurelia” was a favorite. Nevertheless, the force carbonated Rosé of Grenache makes a fun lightly effervescent porch pounder during the warmer weather. The Roussanne was hard to resist as well, especially since so few white varieties are grown in Walla Walla.
Try this Sangiovese if you like getting a crazy good deal on elegant wine crafted with fruit sourced from Seven Hills Vineyard.
Pair with: classic pantry pasta marinara.
Den Hoed
Proost Blanc de Blancs
$34 SRP
When friends visit from out of town, we are sure to open a special bottle to celebrate the occasion. Last year, one such bottle was a Den Hoed Cabernet Sauvignon. The dark red wine was plush and decadent. Meanwhile, the hubby hasn’t stopped talking about it. So, when they emailed a limited special on a library vertical of their cab, we jumped at the offer (those are in the cellar). I also ordered a bottle of their Proost Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine. It is rich from some age, and less sharp than other zero dosage sparklers I’ve encountered. My only disappointment is that I didn’t buy more!
Try this festive wine if you like sparkling wine that is soft and easy to drink on its own.
Pair with popcorn or a good book.
Devison Vintners
Rosé
SRP $24
Having worked with winemaker Peter Devison, there is never a doubt in my mind that his wines will dazzle. So, you can bet that every spring I place an order with Devison Vintners, the winery Peter recently founded with his wife Kelsey. The Devison Vintners Rosé is the most beautiful Washington rosé that I’ve tasted all year. Not only is it an absolute stunner of a wine, it pairs with all our favorite summer foods.
Try this gorgeous wine if you like sipping Provencal style rosé on the patio.
Pair with summer influenced foods especially charcuterie and cheese. One night I even served it with a BLT salad (think bread salad with bacon added). To die for.
Grosgrain Vineyards
Lemberger Pet Nat
$28 SRP
Grosgrain Vineyards is a newish, small family owned winery in Walla Walla. I had the pleasure of working with Matt the winemaker/owner briefly a few years back, before he and his wife purchased the property through an online auction. How’s that for an impulse buy? This fun wine is 100% Lemberger sourced from a block in Kiona Vineyards (Red Mountain) planted in 1976. By the way, Lemberger was once considered a potential signature grape for Washington State.
Try this Pet Nat if you like refreshing can’t-stop-drinking-it wine.
Pair with with a delectable Almond Anchovy Spread and other summertime foods.
Treveri Cellars
Sparkling Gewurztraminer
$17 SRP
I am a sucker for wines made from alternative varieties. With its tropical and floral characteristics, Gewurztraminer smacks of summer when everything is in bloom. Here it is in fun fizzy form, at a price point that makes it approachable every day of the week. Really, is anything more essential these days than sparkling wine? Plus, Treveri has been offering penny shipping on orders of six or more bottles making it easy to stock up.
Try this if you like breakfast wine. Seriously, it’s not brunch without bubbles!
Pair this wine with chilled fruit soups or ricotta filled French toast.
The Walls
Stanley Groovy
$30 SRP
Every wine I’ve tasted from The Walls is on my buy it if you can list. Here, I’m including the Stanley Groovy because it’s an unbelievable value for $30. Plus, the red blend includes some fun Portuguese varieties that we don’t often see in Washington along with Syrah and Mourvedre. Oh, and did I mention the fruit comes from acclaimed Red Mountain? Add to all that the fact that this wine is crazy good. Thankfully, this Walla Walla based winery has had the smarts to offer West Side drop offs in Seattle, saving us the 5 hour drive as well as shipping fees.
Try this quaffable red blend if you like a serious deal on enticing wine crafted with Red Mountain fruit.
Pair with pasta marinara or pizza.
WT Vintners
2019 Carbonic Syrah
$25 SRP
Syrah is a fantastic grape for expressing the site from which it’s sourced. In contrast, this method of winemaking provides representation of the fruit first with flavors of juicy ripe blueberry and blackberry.
As a bonus, this is a wine meant to be enjoyed now and to do good now. For every bottle of Carbonic Syrah sold, W.T. Vintners pledges to donate $10 to Southern Poverty Law Center. The SPLC is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society.
Try this Syrah if you like fruit forward easy drinking wines.
Pair with barbecued chicken and evenings on the patio.
Resources
Here’s how to find those eight Washington wines to pair. Going direct to the winery is the greatest way to support these small businesses.
Cairdeas Winery
College Cellars of Walla Walla
Den Hoed Website
Devison Vintners Website
Grosgrain Vineyards
Treveri Cellars
The Walls Website
W.T. Vintners Website