Local wineries place well at 2016 Seattle Wine Awards
Olequa Cellars in Battle Ground is one of three local wineries to medal at 2016 Seattle Wine Awards. Olequa Cellars
Not all award shows are created equal. Some give a ribbon to every entrant, others are so new that fewer entrants translate to less competition. At the 2016 Seattle Wine Awards, a record 1,350+
wines, ciders and fortifieds guaranteed a lively contest and Southwest Washington wines were well represented with three local wineries walking away with ribbons.
Local grapes winning ingredient in two Olequa Cellars Bronze medals. Viki Eierdam
Olequa Cellars, which opened in Battle Ground in 2009, earned a Bronze for both their 2014 Pinot Noir and 2015 Gewürztraminer. As Brian Tansy, winemaker at Olequa noted, “In a significant milestone for SW Washington viticulture, the grapes for both wines came from Cawley Vineyards, just north of Woodland.”
Ridgefield’s Koi Pond Cellars also received confirmation on their offerings in the form of a Silver for their 2012 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon and a Silver for their 2013 Syrah (Columbia Valley). Koi Pond has received many accolades over the years for their Walla Walla Cabernet, in particular, and it continues to evolve with age.
One of the 2016 Seattle Wine Awards winners; Koi Pond’s 2013 Syrah (Columbia Valley). Koi Pond
A relative newcomer to the Clark County wine scene, Dolio Winery & Vineyard opened their tasting room in November of 2015 but owner Don Klase has been making wine for several years. As his wife, Pam, said in a recent interview “We wanted to try something a little different which is where grüner veltliner came in.” Judging from the fact that their 2013 Grüner Veltliner (Columbia Valley) picked up a Bronze medal at the 2016 Seattle Wine Awards, that was a good call.
Another Bronze for SW Washington; Dolio Winery’s 2013 Grüner Veltliner. Viki Eierdam
These local wineries each have regular tasting room hours. Make a point to stop by, purchase the winners and taste award-winning Southwest Washington wines for yourself.
For a complete list of all the Washington winners, go to http://seattlewineawards.tastenw.com/.
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Viki
I am a Clark County native. I am Level 2 WSET (wine and spirit education trust)-certified and enjoy pairing wine with my passion for travel and fondness of food. My most prized possessions are the memories of places I've been with my husband, the chance encounters we've been blessed to have along the way and my carry-on bag. I can often be seen around town and in tasting rooms with our two beautiful, double-Merle Australian shepherds, Challenge and Baby Girl.