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

An impeccable Bordeaux style blend that showcases a vibrant and well-balanced core of cherry and plums dappled with cocoa and minerals. Aged in 38% new French Oak for 18 months.

By the way, the tasting experience at the winery is unlike any other. It includes crazy delicious pairings for each wine. ⁠Be sure to book a visit ahead of time.

Domaine Pouillon

210 Columbia Gorge Estate Syrah 2021

Winemaking starts with a pied de cuve actively fermenting when the grapes are picked. The young wine rewards those who give it time to breath with enticing aromas of smoked meats and herbs along with captivating flavors of black pepper, currants, and plums enrobed in velvety tannins.

Dusted Valley

2021 Walla Walla Valley Sconni Block Estate BFM (i.e. Blow Your Freaking Mind)

This charismatic blend is made to “Blow your Freaking Mind”! Appealing bright cherry and blue fruits meet velvety lushness.

Foundry Vineyards

Red Mountain AVA Hedges Vineyard 2021 Cabernet Franc

A heart pounding wine that charms with flavors of strawberry crumble, baking spice and caramel. It’s lovely.

Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards

Lake Chelan Burning Desire Estate 2021 Cabernet Franc

An enchantingly hedonistic combination of savories and fruits featuring smoked meats, cocoa, and dark plum with a swath of fine grained tannins and a lingering finish.

Horsepower Vineyards (part of the Cayuse Vineyards/Bionic Wines brand)⁠

Walla Walla Valley Fiddleneck Vineyard 2021 Grenache

A boldly expressive wine featuring a hedonistic combination of smoked meat, chocolate and leather all wrapped up in velvety tannins and balanced by mouthwatering acidity.

Note that while the winery isn’t open to the public and the estimated wait to get on the winery’s mailing list is ten years, the coveted bottles can sometimes be found at select wine shops.

Lushington Wines

213 Columbia Gorge Hi Hill Vineyard 2022 Blanc de Noirs

Hand-picked grapes were whole bunch pressed and fermented in neutral barrels with 16 months tirage, arduously hand riddled and disgorged. This traditional method wine with a fine string of pearls is light and quaffable, offering honeydew melon and leesy complexity on the finish.

Syncline

Columbia Gorge Gamay Noir 2022

Part carbonic maceration and part traditional fermentation leads to flavors of deep dark fruit meets an herbaceous character, accompanied by notes of slate. A fantastic expression of the site.

Pét Project

Columbia Gorge Pear Ridge Vineyard Perpetual Cuvée

Its delicate pearls tickle the tongue with flavors of pear, almond and brioche. It’s a polished sparkler with a lovely lingering finish.

This label is the bubbly offshoot of Foundry Vineyards and specializes in fun, fizzy pét nats featuring some unexpected varieties and co-ferments.

Upsidedown Wines

Yakima Valley Dead Poplar Vineyard 2022 Grenache

Seth Kitzke‘s wines are captivating concoctions, a result of his exploration a variety of vessels and techniques. This grenache is a compelling, complex wine with aromas of plums and cumin and flavors of darker toned fruit and dusty cocoa.

Wilridge Vineyard, Winery & Distillery

2018 Naches Heights Estate Sagrantino

Deep dark garnet color, a dark and brooding well-structured wine from the first Sagrantino vines in Washington. On the palate it offers bramble berries, sweet tobacco and black tea with olive tapenade bringing up the rear.

This year proprietor Paul Beveridge earned Slow Wine’s laudable Snail award in honor of his dedication and pioneering vision in promoting the Washington wine industry, trialing under the radar varieties and having certified organic and biodynamic vineyards.

To learn more about Slow Wine, check out my earlier post.

If, like me, you want to visit wineries doing the challenging work of crafting eco-friendly wines, consider acquiring your own guide. It’s terrific for trip planning, plus it reveals the stories of the people and the land behind the wineries in addition to more bottles to seek out. Guides may be purchased directly from Slow Food USA.