Best of 2008 in Washington Wine Country


By John ~ December 26th, 2008.

After visiting more wineries than we can count, tasting hundreds and hundreds of Washington wines, meeting winemakers, and walking the rows in many of the best known vineyards in the state, these are the Wine Peeps’ picks as the best of 2008 in Washington Wine Country.

20081226_fieldinghillsBEST WINE: 2005 Fielding Hills Syrah (featured Aug 8, Sept 17, Nov 3)

Honorable Mention: 2005 Boudreaux Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Dunham Cellars Lewis Vineyard Merlot, 2005 Gilbert Cellars Syrah, 2005 Watermill Reserve Syrah

BEST WINERY: Dunham Cellars (featured July 28, Nov 24)

Honorable Mention: Long Shadows, Columbia Crest

20081226_richfunkBEST WINEMAKER: Richard Funk, Winemaker/Owner of Saviah Cellars and Winemaker for Watermill Winery (featured Aug 15, Oct 8, Oct 13)

Honorable Mention: Mike Wade of Fielding Hills and Rob Newsom of Boudreaux Cellars

BEST NEWCOMER: Gilbert Cellars/Sean Gilbert (featured Aug 11, Aug 27)

Honorable Mention: Adams Bench/Tim and Erica Blue

BEST VARIETAL: Syrah

Honorable Mention: Red Blends

20081226_redwillowBEST VINEYARD: Red Willow Vineyard (featured July 21, July 30, Aug 22)

Honorable Mention: Stillwater Creek Vineyard

BEST AVA: Wahluke Slope (featured Sept 10)

Honorable Mention: Red Mountain

BEST WINE SHOP: Pete’s Wine Shop – Eastside, Bellevue (featured Sept 12)

Honorable Mention: Esquin Wine Merchants, Seattle; McCarthy & Schiering, Seattle; Compass Wines, Anacortes

BEST WINE EVENT: Icicle Ridge Winery Jazzamatazz Concert Series (featured June 25, Sept 8)

Congratulations to all of the winners and keep up the good work!


Filed under: American Wine, Best of, Washington State Wine
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Reader's Comments

  1. Sean Sullivan | December 26th, 2008 at 11:15 pm

    Great choices. I couldn’t agree more with Richard Funk. Over the last couple of years, Richard has added a few more varietals to his tool kit too, including small bottlings of Malbec, Merlot, and Cab Franc. All have been exceptional. Like the fine wine he makes, Richard Funk gets better every year.

  2. John | December 27th, 2008 at 8:20 am

    Sean,
    FYI, Rich is working with the Browns (of Watermill) who own and/or control some really special vineyard sites across the state line and has now planted his own estate vineyard in The Rocks area. I’m anxious to see the results as those vineyards mature.
    Hope you are having a super Holiday Season. Best Wishes for 2009.
    John