The Northwest Region embodies eleven distinct wine appellations with over two hundred wineries situtated throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia, Canada. You may choose to shop by your preferred varietal or by specific wineries. If there's a winery or wine that you would like and can't find it here, please Contact Us and we'll find it for you.
Wine Varietals
Red Wines
Blue Franc Lemburger
A black, red-wine grape known in Austria as blaufrankisch, buds early and ripens late. Wines produced are lighter-styled reds with plenty of acidity. Its good color, tannin, and raciness encourage producers to lavish new oak on it. Suitable for early drinking with a good bite.
Cabernet Franc
Similar in structure and flavor to Cabernet Sauvignon, but not quite as full-bodied with fewer tannins, less acid and is more aromatic and herbaceous. The Cabernet Franc wine grape grows in cooler climates and ripens early.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape varietal is thick-skinned, slow to ripen, a deep color, and has a firm tannic structure often likened to black currants, black cherry and plum. The world's most renowned grape variety for production of fine red wine. Its aroma is sometimes compared to green bell pepper, but with age development its aromas are of leather, tobacco, lead pencil, cedar, or a fine chocolate. It has a remarkable concentration of phenolics that really sets it aside from most widely grown varieties. Cabernet's are worthy of long maceration and wood ageing for the long term. Serve with a classic peppercorn steak or a hearty pasta dish.
Meritage
A blend of premium Bordeaux grape varieties in the image of Medoc and Graves. The very best wine of its type.
Merlot
Merlot wines are medium to dark in color, rich, plummy and fruity with characterics of black currant, cherry, and mint. Higher sugar levels make for lower tannins and a softer palate. Washington is now the second largest producer of wine from the vinifera grape, and has consistently produced fine, fruity, well-structured wines. Merlots are rounder and more supple, and can usually be enjoyed much earlier. Serve with poultry, beef, pork, lamb, or a gourmet pizza.
Pinot Noir
Oregon's long, cool growing season has produced some great and expensive Pinot Noirs. Young Pinot's exhibit fruity characteristics of cherries, plums, raspberries and strawberries. Maturer wines offer complex characteristics, which exhibit chocolate, game, figs, smokiness, truffles and violets.
Sangiovese
The Sangiovese grape is believed to have originated in Tuscany. Sangiovese wines are high in acid, with moderately high tannins and with flavors exhibiting earthiness and some fruit. Drink now. Typically, these wines are not long lived and will last for less then ten years. Known in Italy as Chianti Wine.
Syrah
The Syrah grape is thought to have originated in the Middle East. When young, Syrahs are deep colored, tannic and exhibit tar, spice, and pepper qualities. As they mature they take on characteristics of sweet blackberries, black currants, and plums, with hints of smokiness. Known as Shiraz in Australia. Will age well.
White Wines
Chardonnay
"The king of white grapes". Chardonnay combines some of the most desireable features of all white varietals, responding well to oak and presenting a signature honeyed apple and pear bouquet in a buttery, well-balanced style that many consumers prefer above all other white wines. Chardonnay's dry, full-bodied, fruity, assertive flavors make it a delicious accompaniment to chicken, lobster, and creamy pasta dishes.
Gewurztraminer
The pink-skinned Gewurztraminer grape variety makes a pungent, flavorful, full-bodied white wine that is completely unique among white wines. Deeply colored, opulently aromatic, exotic, and perfumey flavors of fresh lychee fruit, and a fuller body that fills your mouth with those flavors. Gewurztraminer is dry and spicy with an earthy undercurrent of flavor. Typically served as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to poultry, or pair with a quiche Lorraine.
Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris has a creamy texture that gives it an impression of richness while remaining bone dry. It ages beautifully. The aroma and palate are complex yet subtle. It's accommodating character makes it perhaps an ideal wine for salmon and other seafoods.
Riesling
Riesling wines have the ability to retain their acidity while achieving high sugar levels which creates wines with considerable aging potential. Rieslings are delicate, but complex and are characterized by a spicy, fruity flavor that is reminiscent of apricots, with a flowery bouquet, and a long finish. Rieslings range from dry to very sweet. Well served with pan-fried oysters and rich, creamy dishes made of chicken, pasta, or seafoods.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc wines are noticeably acidic with grassy, herbaceous aroma and flavor. A crisp and flavorful wine that generally should be drunk young.
Semillon
The French are in love with this grape because of it's depth and forgiving nature. The grape grows particularly well in the vineyards of Eastern Washington, where super-long growing seasons can encourage and foster the growth of botryitis cinerea or "the noble rot". This benign fungus concentrates the sugar in the grapes resulting in intensely sweet wines. This wine is typically barrel fermented and responds extremely well to the new oak favored by Pacific Northwest Vintners. Semillon is full-bodied with a lower acidity and a honeyed quality, typically with flavors of melon or figs, and is graced by a delicate aroma of mustard seed. It's smoky, toasty characteristics are especially enjoyed with chicken, pork, salmon, seafood, or soft cheeses. Serve it chilled, but not cold.
Sparkling & Dessert
Sparkling wine is wine that contains bubbles of carbon dioxide gas. Typically used for a toast or to just enjoy.
Brut
A term applied to the driest champagne and sparkling wines. Bruts are drier than sparkling wines labeled "extra dry". Extra Brut is extremely dry.
Icewine
Eiswein is a German term meaning "ice wine", which refers to a rich flavorful dessert wine. Grapes are picked frozen on the vine and then pressed before they thaw. The result is a rich flavored concentrate high in sugar and acid. The wines are extraordinarily sweet. Just right for an aperitif or an after dinner dessert.
Non-Alcoholic & Other
Select wine-grape juices, from the Muscadine, Catawba, Streben, and Reliance grape families. True gourmet products, these smooth, sweet, juices brim with natural freshness and delicate flavors. Unlike any other varietal grape juices or blends. They are wonderful accompaniments to hors d'oeuvres and snacks and great with light entrees. 100% grape juice. No concentrates, no added sugar or water. Non-alcoholic.
Wine Apellations
Northwest Wine Apellations
The Northwest Region embodies eleven distinct wine appellations and over two hundred wineries situated throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, & British Columbia, Canada.
Washington's Appellations
Columbia Valley
The Northwest's largest appellation, comprising approximately 1/3 of Washington State's land mass. Produces 98% of Washington's wine grapes. Climate: warm, dry, sunny days and cool nights in summer, cold in winter, allowing vines to store nutrients in dormancy. Shared with Oregon.
Yakima Valley
Washington's oldest appellation Boasts the state's highest percentage of vineyard plantings per square mile. Climate: Yakima Valley is located within the Columbia Valley, and enjoys a similar climate.
Walla Walla Valley
Known for producing some of the best wine grape varietals. Climate: Walla Walla Valley is located within the Columbia Valley, and enjoys a similar climate. Shared with Oregon.
Pudget Sound
The only grape growing region in western Washington. Climate: long, warm summer growing season, with temperate winters that rarely incur prolonged freezing.
Red Mountain
Washington's newest appellation. Established in 2001, located in the eastern Washington desert near Benton City. Home to only a few wineries Hedges, Kiona, and Terra Blanca.
Oregon's Appellations
Willamette Valley
Oregon's largest and best-known appellation. Climate: the state's coolest wine region, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers influenced by marine air from the Pacific.
Umpqua Valley
A small area approximately 1/4 the size of Willamette Valley. The region's interconnected series of small hills and tributaries creates a wide variety of soils. Climate: dry, warm days and very cool nights, with wide temperature swings from day to night and summer to winter.
Rogue Valley
Oregon's most elevated wine region. Comprised of three distinct sub-appellations: Illinois Valley - coolest area, similar to Burgundy region Applegate Valley - moderate mix of climates Rogue River Valley - warm, dry climate similar to Bordeaux region Overall climate: warm days and cool nights, producing intensely flavorful fruit.
Walla Walla Valley
Known for producing some of the best wine grape varietals. Climate: warm, dry, sunny days and cool nights. Shared with Washington.
Columbia Valley
Located where the marine air of western Oregon collides with the dry air of eastern Oregon, resulting in major climate changes over short distances. Shared with Washington.
Idaho's Appellations
Snake River Valley
As of 2001, Idaho has no recognized appellations, but when current plans are finalized, the state's first official wine producing region will likely be the Snake River Valley. Climate: high daytime temperatures and very cool nights, with wide temperature swings that allow grapes to ripen to full flavor.
Our premium wines bear the distinct qualities unique to each of these viticultural areas.
Northwest Regions Leading Varietals
Washington
Red varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah
White varietals: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Semillon
Oregon
Red varietals: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
White varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Müller-Thurgau
Idaho
Red varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
White varietals: Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon
Appellation & varietal information compliments of the Northwest Wine Coalition.