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closeWednesday, Apr. 29, 2009
Woehler on Wine: Milbrandt Vineyards
By Bob Woehler, Wine Press Northwest tasting editor
PROSSER — A dozen years ago, Columbia Basin farmer brothers Butch and Jerry Milbrandt decided they wanted to get into the wine business.
And boy, did they do it in a big way.
Today, they have 13 estate vineyard sites, mostly in the Wahluke Slope area, totaling more than 1,600 acres of grapes from Merlot to Nebbiolo.
After selling their grapes to others for several years, they decided to launch their own wine-making operation in 2005.
Again, they did it in a big way.
They built an industrial-sized winery near Mattawa with the capacity to produce 800,000 cases of wine, yearly, enough to rank in the top five in the Pacific Northwest.
And last year, they finished a new tasting room and hospitality center at Prosser's burgeoning Vintners Village.
Overseeing the winemaking operation is Gordy Hill, longtime Chateau Ste. Michelle winemaker.
Milbrandt makes wines for 10 other customers and produces close to 25,000 cases of its own growing lineup, which includes many fine wines in the $20 and below range.
The Prosser facility has a pleasing tasting room with plenty of space to sip and enjoy indoors or on an outdoor patio. Also offered is tasty light lunch fare.
2007 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $12-13 -- Crisp, tasty with pears and apples. Team with most any halibut recipe.
2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $11-$13 -- Melons start this one off, and it finishes with lively citrus flavors. Try it with lightly battered fish and chips with a wedge of lemon.
2006 Traditions Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $11-$13 -- More citrus and fruit than oak and butter, with firm acids for a creamy pasta dish.
2006 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $11-$13 -- Delightful peach flavors greet you backed by great acidity. Match it with sun-dried tomato smoked turkey breast.
2006 Traditions Merlot, Columbia Valley, $13-$15 -- Very smooth with cherry milk chocolate flavors. Try it with pork loin with cherry glaze.
2006 Traditions Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $13-$15 -- Currants, olives and oak aromas lead to smooth berry flavors. Serve it with barbecued sirloin steak.
2007 Traditions Syrah, Columbia Valley, $13-$15 -- Jam-smooth flavors and aromas mostly of blackberries and plums. Great with little smoky barbecue hot dogs.
-- On the net: www.milbrandtvineyards.com
* Bob Woehler has been writing about Pacific Northwest wines since 1978. E-mail him at bwoehler@charter.net or check out his past columns at www.winepressnw.com.
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