WENATCHEE, Wash. – A winery in one of the most remote regions of Washington’s vast Columbia Valley earned best-in-show honors Saturday evening at the fourth annual North Central Washington Wine Awards.
Rio Vista Wines took home the top prize with its Viognier, a white wine. Rio Vista is just off Highway 97, north of the road to Lake Chelan. The winery and estate vines are along the Columbia River, and Rio Vista even offers a tasting room convenient to boaters.
Cave B Estate Winery near George, Wash., won best dessert wine for its succulent Sémillon ice wine, which uses estate grapes in the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley region. Cave B also won a unanimous double gold medal for its Sauvignon Blanc.
Martin-Scott Winery in East Wenatchee had the best red wine, claiming that honor with its Cabernet Franc. Martin-Scott also won a double gold medal for its Counoise, a red wine made from a Rhône variety not often seen in the Pacific Northwest.
Crayelle Cellars, a small producer in the town of Cashmere, won two unanimous double gold medals for its Albariño and a blend called Gabriel’s Horn.
The competition and tasting is put on by Foothills, a bi-monthly magazine produced by the Wenatchee World newspaper. The competition was conducted by Great Northwest Wine.
This year’s judges were: Barb Robertson, a Wenatchee-area wine professional; Don Elsing, wine director for Sun Mountain Lodge near Winthrop; Dan Carr, owner of Visconti’s restaurants in Wenatchee and Leavenworth; Heather Unwin, executive director of Red Mountain AVA Alliance; Jay Drysdale, owner and winemaker for Bella Wines in Naramata, British Columbia; Rick Steigmeyer, staff writer for the Wenatchee World; Mike Rader, a member of the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel; and Ken Robertson, wine columnist for Wine Press Northwest magazine.
Here are the complete results of the competition.
Best in show
Rio Vista Wines 2013 Antoine Creek Vineyards Viognier, Columbia Valley, $23
Best dessert wine
Cave B Estate Winery 2013 Sémillon Ice Wine, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $38
Best red wine
Martin-Scott Winery 2011 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $25
Double gold
Benson Vineyards Estate Winery 2011 Cabernet Franc, Lake Chelan, $35
Martin-Scott Winery 2012 Counoise, Columbia Valley, $20
Crayelle Cellars 2013 Albariño, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $19
Cave B Estate Winery 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $25
Jones of Washington 2011 Late Harvest Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $20
Crayelle Cellars 2011 Gabriel’s Horn, Columbia Valley, $24
Milbrandt Vineyards 2011 Vineyard Series Mosaic, Wahluke Slope, $28
Rio Vista Wines 2013 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $16
Tunnel Hill Winery 2012 Syrah, Lake Chelan, $30
Malaga Springs Winery 2010 Syrah, Washington, $24
Gold
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $23
Dutch John’s Wines 2008 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, , $23
Rio Vista Wines 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $32
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2010 Elerding Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $38
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2009 Tumbleweed Cab, Wahluke Slope, $15
Horan Estates Winery 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $22
Plain Cellars 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $30
Beaumont Cellars 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $34
Milbrandt Vineyards 2011 The Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $26
Beaumont Cellars 2012 Cabernet Franc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $27
Errant Cellars 2012 Cabernet Franc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $24
Vin du Lac Winery 2012 Barrel Select Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $25
Jones of Washington 2013 Estate Chardonnay, Wahluke Slope, $15
Rio Vista Wines 2013 Estate Come Fly With Me Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $17
Benson Vineyards Estate Winery 2012 Chardonnay, Lake Chelan, $21
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2012 Carménère, Wahluke Slope, $30
Martin-Scott Winery 2012 Montepulciano, Columbia Valley, $18
Milbrandt Vineyards 2011 Northridge Vineyard Primitivo, Wahluke Slope, $28
Beaumont Cellars 2012 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $26
Plain Cellars 2011 Tempranillo, Wahluke Slope, $27
Cave B Estate Winery 2012 Sémillon, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $25
Eagle Creek Winery 2012 Gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley, $18
Cave B Estate Winery 2011 XXVI Merlot, Columbia Valley, $43
Wedge Mountain Winery 2011 Merlot, Wahluke Slope, $28
Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2008 Merlot, Washington, $16
Chelan Estate Winery 2009 Merlot, Lake Chelan, $25
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2012 Coalesce, Wahluke Slope, $26
Chelan Estate Winery 2007 Reserve Red, Columbia Valley, $30
Eagle Creek Winery 2011 Montage, Columbia Valley, $23
Tunnel Hill Winery NV Setenta, Columbia Valley, $33
Stemilt Creek Winery 2008 A Day’s Work, Columbia Valley, $26
Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2010 Bench Rock, Washington, $18
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2010 Wildwood Blend, Wahluke Slope, $24
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2010 Reserve Provence, Columbia Valley, $35
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2011 Ginkgo Red, Wahluke Slope, $15
Cairdeas Winery NV Trí, Columbia Valley, $29
Jones of Washington 2013 Estate Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $12
Martin-Scott Winery 2013 Apple Block Vineyard Riesling, Columbia Valley, $12
Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2010 Riesling, Washington, $14
Beaumont Cellars 2012 Syrah, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $26
Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2009 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $30
Cave B Estate Winery 2011 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $30
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2010 Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $18
Cave B Estate Winery 2013 Viognier, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $25
Jones of Washington 2013 Estate Viognier, Wahluke Slope, $15
Cave B Estate Winery 2012 Cave Woman White, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $14
Martin-Scott Winery 2013 Peddler White, Columbia Valley, $14
Rio Vista Wines 2013 Wacky White, Columbia Valley, $20
Silver
Cave B Estate Winery 2011 XXVI Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $48
Wedge Mountain Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $35
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $20
Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $40
Wine Girl Wines 2011 JoJo Stiletto Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Hills, $28
Martin-Scott Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $28
Tunnel Hill Winery 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, $33
Errant Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $21
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2010 Tumbleweed Cab, Wahluke Slope, $15
Jones of Washington 2011 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $15
Malaga Springs Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $32
Cave B Estate Winery 2011 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $33
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope, $30
Karmari 2011 Reserve Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $36
Voilà Winery 2011 Reserve Cabernet Franc, Washington, $34
Wine Girl Wines 2011 Deadly Aim Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley, $28
Voilà Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc, Washington, $24
Stemilt Creek Winery 2008 Transforming Traditions Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $32
Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2012 Naked Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $10
Cave B Estate Winery 2011 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $25
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2013 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $20
Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2012 Reserve Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $20
Beaumont Cellars 2013 Reserve Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $30
Rio Vista Wines 2012 Barbera, Columbia Valley, $32
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2012 Grenache, Wahluke Slope, $26
Snowgrass Winery 2012 Rapscallion Mourvèdre, Red Mountain, $30
Beaumont Cellars 2012 Petit Verdot, Wahluke Slope, $30
Hard To Hoe Vineyards 2011 Burning Desire Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley, $35
Cave B Estate Winery 2011 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $33
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2010 Sangiovese, Wahluke Slope, $40
Malaga Springs Winery 2010 Sangiovese, Washington, $24
Snowgrass Winery 2010 Southdown Sangiovese, Red Mountain, $25
Cave B Estate Winery 2011 Tempranillo, Columbia Valley, $33
Rio Vista Wines 2012 Tempranillo, Lake Chelan, $32
Eagle Creek Winery 2013 Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $18
Malaga Springs Winery 2013 Chenin Blanc, Washington, $17
Malaga Springs Winery 2013 Muscat Canelli, Washington, $15
Jones of Washington 2013 Estate Pinot Gris, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $13
Milbrandt Vineyards 2013 Traditions Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $13
Jones of Washington 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $15
Silvara Vineyards 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Hills, $24
Benson Vineyards Estate Winery 2013 Late Harvest Viognier, Lake Chelan, $14
Hard To Hoe Vineyards NV Land Ho, Columbia Valley, $35
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2011 Commander’s Reserve Port, Washington, $43
Legend Cellars 2006 Vincitone, Columbia Valley, $30
Icicle Ridge Winery 2013 The Blondes Gewurztraminer, Washington, $30
Vin du Lac Winery 2012 Lehmbecker Gewürztraminer, Lake Chelan, $22
Martin-Scott Winery 2013 Grace’s Vineyard Gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley, $9
Malaga Springs Winery 2009 Evolution Malbec, Red Mountain, $25
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2010 Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $40
Lake Chelan Winery 2011 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $35
Malaga Springs Winery 2011 Malbec, Washington, $25
Rio Vista Wines 2012 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $32
Stemilt Creek Winery 2009 Caring Passion, Columbia Valley, $18
Beaumont Cellars 2012 Reserve Merlot, Columbia Valley, $32
Eagle Creek Winery 2012 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $21
Jones of Washington 2009 Estate Merlot, Wahluke Slope, $15
Jones of Washington 2010 Estate Merlot, Wahluke Slope, $15
Milbrandt Vineyards 2011 Traditions Merlot, Columbia Valley, $17
Chelan Estate Winery 2008 Pinot Noir, Lake Chelan, $25
Voilà Winery 2010 Pinot Noir, Washington, $32
Tunnel Hill Winery 2012 Estate Pinot Nior, Lake Chelan, $25
Voilà Winery 2012 Pinot Noir, Washington, $22
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2011 Milbrandt Vineyard Pinot Noir, Washington, $30
Voilà Winery 2012 Cashmere Red Cuvèe, Washington, $22
Cairdeas Winery 2011 Consonance, Columbia Valley, $34
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2010 Confluence, Columbia Valley, $43
Stemilt Creek Winery 2009 A Day’s Work, Columbia Valley, $26
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2010 Ginkgo Red, Wahluke Slope, $15
Dutch John’s Wines 2008 Colockum Red, Washington, $26
Errant Cellars 2012 Henry’s Red, Columbia Valley, $20
Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2012 Redhead Red, Columbia Valley, $10
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2011 Coalesce, Wahluke Slope, $26
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2010 Reserve Tre Amori, Columbia Valley, $39
Horan Estates Winery 2011 HVH Red, Columbia Valley, $22
Jones of Washington 2010 Barrel Select Red Wine, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $25
Legend Cellars NV Legendry Red, Columbia Valley, $25
Plain Cellars 2011 Eclipse, Columbia Valley, $28
Dutch John’s Wines 2007 Great Northern Red, Washington, $24
Rio Vista Wines 2011 Loony Red, Columbia Valley, $32
Cairdeas Winery 2011 Gréine, Columbia Valley, $38
Vin du Lac Winery 2011 Red Café Cuvée Rouge, Columbia Valley, $25
Stemilt Creek Winery 2008 Caring Passion, Columbia Valley, $17
Benson Vineyards Estate Winery 2010 Meritage, Lake Chelan, $39
Cave B Estate Winery 2013 Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $22
Hard To Hoe Vineyards 2013 Nauti Bouy, Lake Chelan, $22
Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2012 Ryan’s Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10
Silvara Vineyards 2013 Riesling, Washington, $24
Wine Girl Wines 2013 Scarlet Leather Rosè, Lake Chelan, $22
Malaga Springs Winery 2013 Sangiovese Rosé, Washington, $17
Cave B Estate Winery 2013 Dry Rosé, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $18
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2013 Rosé of Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $23
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2013 Ginkgo Rosé, Wahluke Slope, $15
Jones of Washington 2013 Rosé of Syrah, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $13
Malaga Springs Winery 2013 Blanc de Noir, Washington, $18
Cairdeas Winery 2013 Sparkling Viognier, Columbia Valley, $28
Jones of Washington 2010 Reserve Syrah, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $30
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2010 Milbrandt Vineyards Free Run Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $30
Errant Cellars 2012 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $21
Eagle Creek Winery 2011 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $21
Benson Vineyards Estate Winery 2010 Syrah, Lake Chelan, $29
Tunnel Hill Winery 2013 Viognier, Lake Chelan, $19
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2013 Viognier, Columbia Valley, $22
Horan Estates Winery 2012 Viognier, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $20
Malaga Springs Winery 2013 Viognier, Washington, $16
Benson Estate Vineyards 2012 Viognier, Lake Chelan, $22
Rio Vista Wines 2013 Sunset on the River, Columbia Valley, $20
Cave B Estate Winery 2012 Cuvée Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $25
Eagle Creek Winery 2012 Adler Weiss, Columbia Valley, $21
Benson Estate Vineyards 2012 Curious, Lake Chelan, $19
Wapato Point Cellars 2013 Harmony, Lake Chelan, $22
Errant Cellars 2013 Patio White, Columbia Valley, $17
Gard Vintners 2012 Lawrence Vineyards Freyja, Columbia Valley, $14
Horan Estates Winery 2012 Duet, Columbia Valley, $20
Cairdeas Winery 2013 Southern White, Columbia Valley, $20
Bronze
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $25
Wedge Mountain Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope, $28
Kamari 2012 Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $22
Wedge Mountain Winery 2012 Evergreen Vineyard Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $18
Benson Vineyards Estate Winery 2010 Sangiovese, Lake Chelan, $29
Beaumont Cellars 2013 Tempranillo, Columbia Valley, $27
Martin-Scott Winery 2012 Tempranillo, Columbia Valley, $22
Beaumont Cellars 2012 Zinfandel, Wahluke Slope, $26
Cairdeas Winery 2013 Boushey Vineyard Marsanne, Yakima Valley, $30
Jones of Washington 2011 Lady Label Pinot Gris, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $10
Benson Vineyards Estate Winery 2012 Pinot Gris, Lake Chelan, $22
Malaga Springs Winery 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Washington, $15
Lake Chelan Winery 2013 Sweet Riesling, Lake Chelan, $20
Kamari 2012 Gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley, $18
Wedge Mountain Winery 2010 Northridge Vineyard Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $42
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2011 Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $20
Jones of Washington 2010 Reserve Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $30
Tunnel Hill Winery 2012 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $30
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2010 Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $20
Wine Girl Wines 2011 Primp Daddy My Derby Wife Merlot, Rattlesnake Hills, $28
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2010 Merlot, Wahluke Slope, $23
Horan Estates Winery 2011 Mike Horan Merlot, Columbia Valley, $24
Snowgrass Winery 2010 Menagerie Merlot, Red Mountain, $25
Vin du Lac Winery 2010 Café Merlot, Columbia Valley, $25
Benson Vineyards Estate Winery 2010 Merlot, Lake Chelan, $32
Eagle Creek Winery NV Raspberry Riesling, Columbia Valley, $16
Spencer Farm 2012 Blueberry, Washington, $24
Rio Vista Wines 2011 Pinot Noir, Columbia Valley, $42
Okanogan Estate & Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir, Washington, $16
Kamari 2011 Reserve Pinot Noir, Lake Chelan, $32
Benson Vineyards Estate Winery 2010 Pinot Noir, Lake Chelan, $26
Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2010 Rock Island Red, Columbia Valley, $20
Stemilt Creek Winery 2008 Boss Lady, Columbia Valley, $24
Benson Vineyards Estate Winery 2011 Cabriovese, Lake Chelan, $29
Benson Vineyards Estate Winery 2011 Rhythm, Lake Chelan, $28
Atam Winery 2011 Riesling, Lake Chelan, $17
Chateau Faire Le Pont 2013 Riesling, Washington, $18
Gård Vintners 2011 Lawrence Vineyards Grand Klasse Reserve Riesling, Columbia Valley, $22
Gård Vintners 2012 Lawrence Vineyards Riesling, Columbia Valley, $14
Jones of Washington 2011 Lady Label Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $10
Tunnel Hill Winery 2013 Estate Riesling, Lake Chelan, $17
Stemilt Creek Winery 2012 Sweet Adelaide, Columbia Valley, $12
Tunnel Hill Winery 2013 Pinot Noir Rosé, Lake Chelan, $20
Jones of Washington 2011 Lady Label Rosé, Columbia Valley, $10
Martin-Scott Winery 2013 Rose of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $18
Voilà Winery 2010 Free Run de Pinot Noir Rosé Ambrosia, Washington, $20
Jones of Washington 2011 Estate Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $17
Beaumont Cellars 2012 Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $27
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2012 Viognier, Wahluke Slope, $15
Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2013 Shameless Hussy Viognier, Lake Chelan, $18
Cairdeas Winery 2013 Nellie Mae, Columbia Valley, $22
Ginkgo Forest Winery 2013 Ginkgo Blanco, Wahluke Slope, $15
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