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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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