Celebrating Washington wine

Judith Papesh
Wine Education grey Dot Regions & Terroir grey Dot

March is a great time to be a wine lover with the first of two (!) Washington Wine Month celebrations

 

There’s so much good we couldn’t get it all in one. Rising Wine Collective is your home for Washington wines, able to put an outstanding selection of small-production wines at your door whether you are a time-strapped local or a far-away fan.

For the Washington curious, explore our selection of quick reads and videos to bring the Washington story into focus as the #2 wine-producing state in the US. It is home to over 1000 wineries that craft red, white, and rosé wines from hauntingly wild and beautiful lands.

If you don’t have time to read, ponder that 45% of Washington wine has received wine publication scores of 90+ at the lowest cost per bottle price anywhere in the world. You’re welcome.

Washington wine profile and terroir

Wine Culturist Tanya Morningstar has prepared an excellent overview of Washington terroir and wines to get you started. In addition, we’ve created a list of a few of our favorite things to follow up and give you a deeper perspective as you explore this great state.

Red wines

Wine lovers searching for reds are finding substantial wines here with bold black fruits, excellent structure, acidity, and tannin. Check out our story about Washington Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Our diverse grape story doesn’t end there, however. You will also find some lesser known varietals like Mourvèdre make bold blends here.

White and rosé wines

White wine lovers also have a happy home in Washington. Riesling was one of the first grapes with potential here, and Chardonnay topped the white grape harvest in 2021. You might have guessed that the list doesn’t stop there. Washington’s varied terrain produces beautiful Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, and intriguing rosé from those big red grapes like Mourvèdre.

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About Judith Papesh

Retired Winemaker, Winemaking Consultant, and Washington State Licensed Geologist. Bourgogne Master Level Certification, French, Italian, and Spanish Wine Scholar Certifications

In the first class to complete Washington State University (WSU) Extension Enology Certification, Judith opened her winery, crafting wines that garnered local and international acclaim before turning her attention to studying and educating about the world's wines. 

"Winemaking is very much an art as well as a science; it is a consuming passion that drives you during the day, keeps you up at night, and when the wine is right, simply leaves you breathless."