Columbia Valley
The Columbia Valley AVA is Washington State's largest wine region, spanning across eastern Washington and extending slightly into Oregon, covering over 11 million acres. The region features a semi-arid desert climate with hot days and cool nights, along with well-draining sandy-loam soils, creating ideal conditions for viticulture with minimal disease pressure. Prominent grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Riesling, with the region known for producing structured red wines with bright fruit characteristics and vibrant white wines with notable acidity.
Wines from Columbia Valley
Skyfall Red Blend
No, it's not named after the James Bond film – though this Washington State blend is certainly licensed to thrill. Skyfall Red Blend comes from the Columbia Valley, where dramatic temperature shifts between day and night create perfect conditions for developing complex flavors in grapes. This Merlot-dominant blend brings together the best characteristics of each varietal: the smoothness of Merlot, structure of Cabernet, and spicy depth of Syrah. The result is a crowd-pleasing red that's versatile enough for weeknight dinners but interesting enough for special occasions. Unlike 007's martini, this one's definitely better swirled, not shaken.
Maison Noir Horseshoes and Handgrenades
With a name like 'Horseshoes and Handgrenades,' this wine isn't trying to be subtle – and thankfully, it doesn't need to be. Created by André Hueston Mack (former sommelier at The French Laundry and Per Se), this blend embodies his playful, rule-breaking approach to winemaking. This red blend brings together the best of Washington and Oregon fruit, combining Syrah's peppery intensity with the structure of Bordeaux varieties. It's a wine that's serious about quality while refusing to take itself too seriously – kind of like that friend who can quote Shakespeare one minute and make terrible puns the next. The name comes from the phrase 'close only counts in horseshoes and handgrenades,' but there's nothing 'almost' about how delicious this wine is. Perfect for when you want something with personality that'll please both wine geeks and casual sippers alike.