Tasting Room Yakima – Encore award Best Tasting Room
Hats off to the Tasting Room Yakima winner of the 2010 Visitor and Convention Bureau’s Encore award for Best Tasting Room in the Yakima Valley. A big thanks for Damon and Lori for making it happen. Salute`
Best Pinot Gris in the State – Seattle Magazine
Great news for NHV from the April editions of Seattle Magazine. See article here
NHV honored by Ray’s Boathouse wine selection
Seattle, Washington – Every January, Ray’s Boathouse in Seattle, Washington conducts its Retrospective of Northwest Wines competition and dinner. Now in its 22nd year, this wine-lover’s event has uncovered hidden gems from up-and-coming wineries, as well as reaffirmed the well-deserved praise earned by established wineries.
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NHV was among the wineries honored by Ray’s Boathouse. In the Aromatic Whites category, NHV’s 2007 Riesling was selected 5th best among the over 400 wines submitted.
Full Press Release Below –
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WINNERS OF RAY’S BOATHOUSE 22ND ANNUAL
RETROSPECTIVE OF NORTHWEST WINES COMPETITION ANNOUNCED
Retrospective Wine Dinners held on January 22-23, 2009, 6:30 PM
Seattle, Washington – Every January, Ray’s Boathouse in Seattle, Washington conducts its Retrospective of Northwest Wines competition and dinner. Now in its 22nd year, this wine-lover’s event has uncovered hidden gems from up-and-coming wineries, as well as reaffirmed the well-deserved praise earned by established wineries.
On January 6-7, 2009, Ray’s wine director Richard Kelsey assembled a panel of judges consisting of sommeliers, wine writers and local wine experts to blind-taste Northwest wines released in 2008. The wines were submitted for judging by the winemakers and their distributors. All Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia wineries that produce grape-based wines were eligible to participate. This year, nearly 400 wines were submitted. The categories for entry were Dry Whites, Pinot Gris, Aromatic Whites, White Blends, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Red Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Dessert.
During the blind-tasting, the judges meticulously evaluated the wines for characteristics such as flavor, texture, aroma and composition. Each judge assigned a numerical score based on their evaluation. The wines with the highest combined scores won. Ray’s Executive Chef Peter Birk has created an extraordinary menu to complement the winning wines, available upon request. Due to demand, the Retrospective Dinners will be presented on two consecutive evenings, January 22 and 23, 2009, in Ray’s waterfront banquet room with the winning winemakers in attendance. The cost is $125.00 per guest, includes tax and gratuity. For reservations, please call 206.789.3770 ext. 225.
This year’s winners in each category are (see below for a list of the top 5 in each category):
Dry Whites: Hogue Cellars Fumé Blanc, Columbia Valley 2007
Pinot Gris: Adelsheim, Willamette Valley 2007
Aromatic Whites: Skylight Cellars Viognier, Columbia Valley 2007
White Blends: Airfield Estates ‘Lightning’, Yakima Valley 2007
Chardonnay: Hamacher ‘Cuvée Forêts Diverses’, Willamette Valley 2005
Pinot Noir: Ginkgo Forest Winery, Wahluke Slope 2006
Syrah: Otis Kenyon, Walla Walla Valley 2006
Merlot: Anton Ville Winery, Yakima Valley 2005
Red Blends: Brian Carter Cellars ‘Tuttorosso’, Yakima Valley 2005
Cabernet Sauvignon: Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Ethos’, Columbia Valley 2005
Dessert: Heaven’s Cave Icicles Riesling Ice Wine, Horse Heaven Hills 2005
For more information and the menu for the Retrospective Dinners, please contact Lori Magaro at (206) 789-4130 ext. 220 or lorimagaro@rays.com.
RAY’S RETROSPECTIVE TOP FIVE
DRY WHITES:
1. Hogue Cellars Fumé Blanc, Columbia Valley 2007
2. Pacific Rim Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley 2007
3. Spangler Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Southern Oregon 2007
4. Mercer Estates Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley 2007
5. Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Hills 2007
PINOT GRIS:
1. Adelsheim, Willamette Valley 2007
2. Dusted Valley Boomtown, Columbia Valley 2007
3. Willow Crest Winery, Yakima Valley 2007
4. Chehalem ‘Willamette Valley’, Willamette Valley 2007
5. Oak Knoll Winery, Willamette Valley 2007
AROMATIC WHITES:
1. Skylite Cellars Viognier, Columbia Valley 2007
2. Snoqualmie Vineyard ‘Winemaker’s Select’ Riesling, Columbia Valley 2007
3. Mercer Estates Riesling, Yakima Valley 2007
4. Pheasant Valley Winery Riesling, Columbia Gorge 2007
5. NHV Riesling, Columbia Valley 2007 (Naches Heights Vineyard)
WHITE BLENDS:
1. Airfield Estates ‘Lightning’, Yakima Valley 2007
2. Delille Cellars ‘Chaleur Estate Blanc’, Red Mountain 2007
3. Alexandria Nicole ‘Shepards Mark’, Horse Heaven Hills 2007
4. Waterbrook ‘Mélange’ Blanc, Columbia Valley 2007
5. Thurston Wolfe ‘PGV’, Washington 2007
CHARDONNAY:
1. Hamacher ‘Cuvée Forêts Diverses’, Willamette Valley 2005
2. Adelsheim ‘Caitlins’, Willamette Valley 2007
3. Pheasant Valley ‘McDuffee Vineyard’, Columbia Gorge 2007
4. Mercer Estates, Columbia Valley 2007
5. Côte Bonneville ‘DuBrul Vineyard’, Yakima Valley 2006
PINOT NOIR:
1. Ginkgo Forest Winery, Wahluke Slope 2006
2. Hamacher, Willamette Valley 2006
3. Beran Vineyards ‘Estate’, Oregon 2006
4. Duck Pond Cellars, Willamette Valley 2006
5. Torii Mor ‘Deux Verres’ Reserve, Oregon 2006
SYRAH:
1. Otis Kenyon, Walla Walla Valley 2006
2. Alexandria Nicole, Horse Heaven Hills 2005
3. Sequel, Columbia Valley 2005
4. Dusted Valley ‘Reserve’, Walla Walla Valley 2006
5. College Cellars, Columbia Valley 2005
MERLOT:
1. Anton Ville Winery, Yakima Valley 2005
2. Chateau St. Michelle ‘Ethos’, Columbia Valley 2005
3. Kestrel, Yakima Valley 2005
4. Mercer Estates, Horse Heaven Hills 2005
5. Duck Pond Cellars, Wahluke Slope 2004
RED BLENDS:
1. Brian Carter Cellars ‘Tuttorosso’, Yakima Valley 2005
2. Tie – Airfield Estates ‘Mustang’, Yakima Valley 2007
2. Tie – DeLille Estate ‘Chaleur Estates’, Red Mountain 2005
4. Robert Karl ‘Inspiration’, Horse Heaven Hills 2005
5. Basalt Cellars ‘Bijou Rouge’, Washington 2006
CABERNET SAUVIGNON:
1. Chateau St. Michelle ‘Ethos’ Columbia Valley 2005
2. Tie – Anton Ville, Red Mountain 2005
2. Tie – DeLille Estate ‘Grand Ciel’, Red Mountain 2005
4. Bergevin Lane, Washington 2006
5. Otis Kenyon, Walla Walla Valley 2006
DESSERT:
1. Heaven’s Cave ‘Icicles’ Riesling Ice Wine, Horse Heaven Hills 2005
2. Chateau Ste. Michelle Ice Wine Chenin Blanc, Horse Heaven Hills 2006
3. Adelsheim Vineyards ‘Deglacé’, Willamette Valley 2007
4. Upland Estates ‘Muscat Ice’, Washington 2007
5. August Cellars ‘Portus Augustus’, Oregon 2006
About Ray’s Boathouse:
Ray’s began in 1939 as a bait house and boat rental owned by Ray Lichtenberger. Seafood enthusiast and entrepreneur Russ Wohlers put together a group of investors and purchased the business in 1973. In the 35 ensuing years, Ray’s has become a Seattle dining icon known for exceptional seafood, outstanding wines, Northwest hospitality and its unmatched view of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Owners are Russ Wohlers, Earl Lasher, Elizabeth Gingrich and Jack Sikma.
Ray’s wine program has received Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence” eight times, and the “Award of Excellence” in the intervening years. Ray’s well-balanced wine cellar showcases both distinguished and boutique wineries, as well as emerging regions from all over the world. The distinctive list has a strong Northwest component and an impressive selection of half bottles. Also notable are 47 dessert wines available by the glass, 18 glass pours and a list of premium sakes. Every January, Ray’s presents its Retrospective of Northwest Wines Dinner, which showcases the winners of our annual wine competition. In May, our epic Copper River Salmon & Oregon Pinot Noir Extravaganza celebrates the arrival of that legendary fish exquisitely paired with Oregon’s finest pinot noirs.
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87 Points – Wine Enthusiast
2005 Syrah – 87 Points Wine Enthusiast December 31st. 2007
Naches Heights and Wilridge vineyards – Seattle Magazine
Naches Heights and Wilridge vineyards – Seattle Magazine December 2007 see article
2006 Pinot Gris – Seattle Magazine
2006 Pinot Gris - Seattle Magazine featured as one of Seattle’s 5 summer wines. August 2007
2006 Riesling – Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
2006 Riesling – Seattle Metropolitan Magazine featured for Thanksgiving dinner and the Holidays.
2005 Riesling — Sunset Magazine review
2005 Riesling “Classic Riesling character: pear, apple, and other green fruit, with good minerality. A fair amount of sweetness is balanced by good acidity, and golden fruit kicks in on the palate — apricot, mango, pineapple, and lemon zest.” Sunset Magazine June 2007
91 points – 2005 Riesling – Wine and Spirits magazine August 2007
91 points – Wine and Spirits magazine August 2007 2005 Riesling “This pretty Riesling from the the eastern reaches of the Columbia valley, north of Yakima, has an aroma that’s tropical yet lean, and flavors leaning toward pear and peach. That peach gives way to passion fruit with a hint of wildflower honey, all held together with a delicate grip. Elegant and complex, it’s terrific with Vietnamese spring rolls- especially the imperial rolls at San Francisco’s Tu Lan restaurant.”
88 points – 2005 Riesling Wine Spectator June 30th.
88 points – 2005 Riesling Wine Spectator June 30th. 2007 Soft, fresh and inviting, offering creamy pear and nectarine flavors that linger nicely on the open-textured finish. H.S.
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About NHV
Naches Heights Vineyard produces five grape varietals and is perched high above the beautiful Naches Valley.
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