Upland Winery takes best of show at Tri-Cities Wine Festival

By Andy Perdue, Herald staff writer

Grapes from one of Washington's original wine regions won best of show Saturday night at the 31st annual Tri-Cities Wine Festival.

Upland Winery's 2007 Malbec from Snipes Mountain in the Yakima Valley was the top wine out of 387 judged over three days.

Upland is one of Washington's newest wineries, opening in 2006, but it has one of the state's oldest histories. In 1917, William Bridgman planted some of Washington's first wine grapes on Snipes Mountain near Sunnyside. After Prohibition was repealed in 1933, he opened Upland Winery. Bridgman, a two-time mayor of Sunnyside, died in 1968 and the winery closed in 1972. The land then was purchased by the Newhouse family, which continues to farm it today and owns the new Upland Winery.

Earlier this year, Snipes Mountain was approved by the federal government as an official American Viticultural Area, or appellation, one of 11 in Washington.

Three colleges entered their wines in this year's competition: Yakima Valley Community College (Yakima Valley Vintners), Walla Walla Community College (College Cellars) and South Seattle Community College (Northwest Wine Academy), all of which offer viticulture and winemaking degrees. Each college earned medals alongside the professionally made wines.

This year's judges were: Lane Hoss, vice president of marketing for Anthony's Restaurants; Coke Roth, a Kennewick attorney and Red Mountain grape grower; Richard Larsen, a plant pathologist at Washington State University in Prosser; Keith Bown, vice president of winemaking for Vincor Canada in Ontario; Eric Degerman, managing editor of Wine Press Northwest magazine in Kennewick; and Michael Moyer, instructor of wine science at Walla Walla Community College.

The festival is run by the Tri-Cities Wine Society. The results of the competition were announced Saturday night at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

Here are the results:

Best of show

Upland Winery 2007 Malbec.

Double gold/Best of class

Airfield Estates 2008 Bombshell Red, Barnard Griffin Winery 2007 Merlot, Chateau Ste. Michelle 2008 Eroica Riesling, Coyote Canyon Winery 2008 Downtown White, Coyote Canyon Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Jones of Washington 2008 Wahluke Slope Estate Vineyards Chardonnay, Mercer Estates 2008 Pinot Gris, Skylite Cellars 2008 Viognier, Smasne Cellars 2007 Block 3 Lawrence Vineyard Syrah, Steppe Cellars 2006 Artemisia, Three Rivers Winery 2007 Weinbau Vineyard Cabernet Franc.

Gold/Best of class

Coyote Canyon Winery 2008 Life is a Rose, Wy'East Vineyards 2008 Blue Chip Pinot Noir.

Double gold

Abacela 2006 Estate Tempranillo, Basel Cellars Estate Winery 2006 Inspired, CAVU Cellars 2006 Horizon Red, Claar Cellars 2008 Ice Wine, Coyote Canyon Winery 2007 Big John Cabernet Reserve, Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Blanc de Noirs, Hedges Family Estate 2006 Three Vineyards, Hedges Family Estate 2008 CMS Red, Kiona Vineyards and Winery 2008 Late Harvest Riesling, Le Chateau Winery 2006 Masterpiece Red #1, Milbrandt Vineyards 2008 Traditions Riesling, Northwest Wine Academy 2007 Syrah, Pend d'Oreille Winery 2007 Bistro Rouge, Rock Meadow Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Russell Creek Winery 2007 Tributary, San Juan Vineyards 2006 Merlot, San Juan Vineyards 2006 Syrah, Tasawik Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Tsillan Cellars 2008 Estate Reserve Gewurztraminer.

Gold

Airfield Estates 2008 Spitfire, Anelare 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barnard Griffin Winery 2007 Malbec, Barrister Winery 2007 Cabernet Franc, Bunchgrass Winery 2006 Syrah, Camas Prairie Winery 2008 Wild Plum, Challenger Ridge Vineyard and Cellars 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir, Chateau Ste. Michelle 2006 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot, Chateau Ste. Michelle 2007 Cold Creek Vineyard Chardonnay, Coyote Canyon Winery 2007 Syrah, DavenLore Winery 2008 Riesling, Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Extra Dry, Gamache Vintners 2007 Estate Riesling, Gamache Vintners 2005 Estate Syrah, Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2007 Merlot, Heymann Whinery NV Cranberry wine, Hogue Cellars 2006 Malbec, Hogue Cellars 2008 Muscat Canelli, Kestrel Vintners 2006 Winemaker Select Cabernet Franc, Kestrel Vintners 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Kestrel Vintners 2008 Viognier, Kestrel Vintners NV Holiday Edition, Kiona Vineyards Winery 2008 Ice Wine, Lake Chelan Winery 2008 Pinot Grigio, Lone Canary Winery 2007 Syrah, Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 The Estates Merlot, Milbrandt Vineyards 2007 The Estates Late Harvest Riesling, Mount Baker Vineyards 2008 Barrel Select Chardonnay, Mount Baker Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Franc, Northwest Wine Academy 2007 Barbera, Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Gewurztraminer, Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Wallula Vineyard Biodynamic Riesling, Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Sweet Riesling, Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Chenin Blanc, Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Autumnus White, Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Autumnus Red, Pend d'Oreille Winery 2006 Meyer Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Rock Meadow Cellars 2007 Rockin' Red, Saint Laurent Estate Winery 2006 Wahluke Cabernet, Samson Estates Winery 2008 Riesling, San Juan Vineyards 2008 Riesling, Silver Lake Winery 2008 Roza Riesling, Skylite Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Skylite Cellars 2005 Big Red Hiney, Smasne Cellars 2006 Kenner Ray Red Wine, Smasne Cellars 2006 Clone #6 Cabernet Sauvignon, Steppe Cellars 2006 Merlot, Steppe Cellars 2008 Riesling, Three Rivers Winery 2008 Riesling, Thurston Wolfe Winery 2007 Petite Sirah, Thurston Wolfe Winery 2007 Dr. Wolfe's Family Red, Tildio Winery 2006 Estate Syrah, Tsillan Cellars 2008 Estate Riesling, Tsillan Cellars 2007 Estate Barrel Select Syrah, Upland Winery 2007 Vintage Muscat Ice, Vin du Lac 2007 Barrel Select Syrah, Vine Heart Winery NV Sangiovese, Willamette Valley Vineyards 2008 Pinot Gris, Willow Crest Winery 2008 Pinot Gris, Windy Point Vineyards 2006 Exclamation Point!, Windy Point Vineyards 2006 Pointless Red, Yakima Valley Vintners 2008 Primitivo.

Silver

Abacela 2008 Albarino, Abacela 2006 Port, Airfield Estates 2008 Lightning, Airfield Estates 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2007 Gravity Merlot, Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2006 Alderdale Cabernet Sauvignon, Anelare 2006 Syrah, Barnard Griffin Winery 2008 Pinot Gris, Barnard Griffin Winery 2007 Late Harvest Muscat Canelli, Barrister Winery NV Rough Justice, Basalt Cellars 2006 Syrah, Basalt Cellars 2006 Rim Rock Red, Basalt Cellars 2007 Malbec, Basel Cellars Estate Winery 2006 Estate Merlot, Bunchgrass Winery 2006 Walla Walla Valley Triolet, CAVU Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, CAVU Cellars 2008 Barbera, Chateau Ste. Michelle 2006 Ethos Cabernet Sauvignon, Claar Cellars 2008 Chardonnay, Claar Cellars 2006 Courneauxcopia, Claar Cellars NV Fouled Anchor Port, College Cellars 2008 Willard Farms, Columbia Crest Winery 2006 Walter Clore Private Reserve Red Wine, Coyote Canyon Winery 2008 Albarino, DavenLore Winery 2007 Durif, Desert Wind Winery 2007 Ruah, Desert Wind Winery 2007 Viognier, DiStefano Winery 2005 Meritage, DiStefano Winery 2005 Syrah R, Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Blanc de Blancs, Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Brut, Elegante Cellars 2007 Sangiovese, Elegante Cellars 2007 Malbec, Eliseo Silva 2008 La Rosa de Syrah, Evergreen Vineyards 2008 Riesling, Ginkgo Forest Winery 2006 Ginkgo Red, Glen Fiona Winery 2004 Merlot, Glen Fiona Winery 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Gordon Brothers Cellars 2008 Chardonnay, Gordon Brothers Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Gordon Brothers Cellars 2007 Kamiak Rock Lake Red, Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2007 Laid Back Cab, Hidden Legend Winery NV Wild Chokeberry Mead, Hightower Cellars 2006 Red Mountain Red Wine, Hogue Cellars 2006 Terroir Red Wine, Hogue Cellars 2008 Terrior White Table, Hoodsport Winery 2008 Pinot Gris, Hoodsport Winery NV Blackberry, Jones of Washington 2006 Wahluke Slope Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Jones of Washington 2006 Jack's Reserve, Kestrel Vintners 2006 Signature Edition Boushey Merlot, Kiona Vineyards Winery 2008 Dry Riesling, Kiona Vineyards Winery 2008 Riesling, Kiona Vineyards Winery 2007 Chenin Blanc, Kiona Vineyards Winery 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Kiona Vineyards Winery 2006 Zinfandel, Kiona Vineyards Winery 2008 Big Kiona Zinfandel, Le Chateau Winery 2006 Sangiovese, Lone Canary Winery 2007 Barbera, Marshal's Winery 2007 Pinot Noir, Marshal's Winery 2004 Cabernet Franc, Mercer Estates 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Mercer Estates 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 The Estates Malbec, Mount Baker Vineyards 2008 Proprietor's Limited Release Viognier, Naches Heights Vineyard 2008 Pinot Gris, Naches Heights Vineyard 2007 Two Dancers, Northstar Winery 2006 Merlot, Northwest Wine Academy 2008 Muscat Love, Northwest Wine Academy 2008 Chardonnay, Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2005 Bench Rock, Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2006 Riesling Ice Wine, Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2007 Dry Riesling, Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Wallula Vineyard Riesling, Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Solstice Vineyard Riesling, Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Riesling, Pacific Rim Winemakers 2008 Framboise, Portrait Cellars 2005 Red Wine, Preston Premium Wines 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Rock Meadow Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc, RockWall Cellars 2008 Riesling, RockWall Cellars 2008 Auxerrois, RockWall Cellars 2008 Lula, Russell Creek Winery 2007 Sangiovese, Saint Laurent Estate Winery 2006 Merlot, San Juan Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Franc, Silver Lake Winery 2007 Merlot, Skylite Cellars 2008 Rose, Snoqualmie Vineyards 2007 Whistle Stop Red, Cabernet Merlot, Snoqualmie Vineyards 2008 Winemaker's Select Riesling, Steppe Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sweet Valley Wines 2007 Righteous Red, Sweet Valley Wines 2008 Viognier, Tagaris Winery 2007 Merlot, Tagaris Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Tasawik Vineyards 2005 Merlot, Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard 2005 Onyx, Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard 2004 Winemaker's Barrel Select Syrah, Three Rivers Winery 2008 Chardonnay, Three Rivers Winery 2007 Tempranillo, Thurston Wolfe Winery 2008 PGV, Thurston Wolfe Winery 2007 J.T.W. Reserve Port, Tildio Winery 2008 Estate Riesling, Trio Vintners 2007 RIOT, Tsillan Cellars 2008 Estate Gewurztraminer, Tsillan Cellars 2007 Bellissima Rossa, Tsillan Cellars 2007 Estate Sinistra, Tsillan Cellars 2007 Estate Syrah, Tsillan Cellars 2007 Estate Malbec, Upland Winery 2007 Syrah, Upland Winery 2008 Viognier-Chenin Blanc, Upland Winery 2006 Old Vine Cabernet, Vin du Lac 2006 Barrel Select Merlot, Vin du Lac 2008 Lehm Riesling, Vin du Lac 2007 Barrel Select Cabernet Franc, Vin du Lac 2006 Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Vine Heart Winery NV Tempranillo, Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Founders' Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Elton Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Vineyards 2008 Whole Cluster Fermented Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Riesling, Willow Crest Winery 2006 Syrah, Yakima Valley Vintners 2008 Teacher's Pet, Yakima Valley Vintners 2007 Graduates Last Hyrah, Yakima Valley Vintners 2008 Class Project.

Bronze

Cable Bridge Wines N/V Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Cable Bridge Wines N/V Riesling, Challenger Ridge Vineyard and Cellars 2007 Faye Red Blend, Chateau Ste. Michelle 2007 Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay, Columbia Crest Winery 2006 Reserve Merlot, Coyote Canyon Winery 2007 Syrah, Coyote Canyon Winery 2008 Viognier, Coyote Canyon Winery 2006 Tres Cruces, DavenLore Winery 2006 Merlot, Desert Wind Winery 2007 Sangiovese, DiStefano Winery 2006 Winemaker's Reserve, Elegante Cellars 2008 Strawberry, Eliseo Silva 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Evergreen Vineyards 2008 Jardiniere Rose, Rosie the Riveter Edition, Flying Dutchman Winery 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Flying Dutchman Winery 2005 Dutchman's Red, Frenchman Hills Winery 2005 Syrah, Gamache Vintners 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Gilstrap Brothers Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Ginkgo Forest Winery 2007 Pinot Noir, Glen Fiona Winery 2004 Claret, Glen Fiona Winery 2006 Basket Press Syrah, Hidden Legend Winery NV Wild Elderberry Mead, Hightower Cellars 2007 Murray Cuvee, Hightower Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Hoodsport Winery 2007 Chardonnay, Hoodsport Winery NV Loganberry Dream, JLC Winery/Spofford Station 2004 JLC Palette, Jones of Washington 2008 Estates Vineyards Riesling, Jones of Washington 2008 Estates Vineyards Viognier, Kiona Vineyards Winery 2007 Sangiovese Rose, Kiona Vineyards Winery 2004 Cab-Merlot, Lake Chelan Winery 2006 Merlot, Lake Chelan Winery 2008 Chardonnay, Lake Chelan Winery 2006 Rivers Bend Estate Syrah, Lone Canary Winery 2007 Sangiovese, Martinez & Martinez Winery 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mercer Estates 2007 Merlot, Mount Baker Vineyards 2006 Proprietor's Limited Release Tempranillo, Northwest Wine Academy 2008 Viognier, Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2008 Gewurztraminer, Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2005 Barrel Select, Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2006 Chardonnay Ice Wine, Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2008 Pinot Grigio, Pacific Rim Winemakers 2007 Selenium Vin de Glaciere, Pend d'Oreille Winery 2007 Primitivo, Portrait Cellars 2005 Merlot, Preston Premium Wines 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Preston Premium Wines 2008 Late Harvest White Riesling, Rock Meadow Cellars 2008 Chardonnay, Rock Meadow Cellars 2007 Syrah, RockWall Cellars 2007 Merlot, RockWall Cellars 2007 Generation, RockWall Cellars 2007 Second Generation, Saint Laurent Estate Winery 2006 Syrah, Silver Lake Winery 2007 Chardonnay Reserve, Silver Lake Winery 2007 Cabernet, Smasne Cellars 2006 Petit Verdot, Steppe Cellars 2008 Gewurztraminer, Sweet Valley Wines 2007 Double Barrel Red, Tagaris Winery 2007 Malbec, Tasawik Vineyards 2008 Rose, Tasawik Vineyards 2006 Hailstorm Red, Tasawik Vineyards 2008 Studio B Groovy White Blend, Tildio Winery 2006 Estate Tempranillo, Tsillan Cellars 2008 Estate Dry Riesling, Upland Winery 2007 Gewurztraminer, Vin du Lac 2008 Lehm Sauvignon Blanc, Vin du Lac 2008 Lehm Pinot Gris.

tool name

Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009

Upland Winery takes best of show at Tri-Cities Wine Festival

By Andy Perdue, Herald staff writer