Best of 2009 in Washington Wine Country



By John ~ January 1st, 2010.

After visiting more wineries than I can count, tasting almost 900 Washington wines from 235 Washington wineries, meeting winemakers, and walking the rows in many of the best known vineyards in the state, these are the Wine Peeps team’s picks as the best of 2009.

2006 O*S Winery Dineen Vineyard SyrahBEST WINE: 2006 O*S Winery Dineen Vineyard Syrah (featured Dec 9)

Honorable Mention: 2006 AlmaTerra Coéo Syrah, 2006 Barnard Griffin Reserve Malbec, 2005 Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Fielding Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Gilbert Cellars Cabernet Franc, 2005 Grand Rêve Collaboration Series I Red Wine, 2007 Nefarious Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

BEST WINERY: Saviah Cellars (featured June 15, July 13, Oct 19, Dec 1)

Honorable Mention: Fielding Hills, Columbia Crest, Quilceda Creek

BEST VARIETAL: Syrah (featured in a number of posts, including Jan 23 and June 26)

Honorable Mention: Cabernet Sauvignon

BEST WINEMAKER: Mike Wade, Winemaker/Co-Owner Fielding Hills (featured April 13, April 20, May 18, Nov 9, Dec 2, Dec 9)

Mike Wade of Fielding Hills (Photo from Fielding Hills Facebook Fan Page)Honorable Mention: Bill Owen of O*S Winery and Dean Neff of Nefarious Cellars

BEST VINEYARD: Riverbend Vineyard, estate vineyard for Fielding Hills

Honorable Mention: Klipsun Vineyard

BEST AVA: Walla Walla Valley

Honorable Mention: Yakima Valley

BEST NEWCOMER: Rotie Cellars/Sean Boyd (featured July 20)

Honorable Mention: AlmaTerra/Dr. Alan Busacca and Robert Smasne

Full Pull WinesBEST WINE RETAILER: Full Pull Wines, Seattle (featured Sept 11)

Honorable Mention: Esquin Wine Merchants, Seattle; Pete’s Wine Shop – Eastside, Bellevue; Compass Wines, Anacortes.

BEST WINE BAR: The Local Vine, Seattle (featured Aug 7)

Honorable Mention: Smash Wine Bar and Bistro, Seattle; Cellar 46, Mercer Island

BEST WINE EVENT: Taste Washington (featured April 7, April 8)

Congratulations to all of the winners! Keep up the good work.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy, prosperous, and wine-filled 2010!


Filed under: American Wine, Best of, Washington State Wine

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