SEATTLE (February 9, 2012) – The Washington State Wine Commission today announced the hiring of Steve Warner as Executive Director. Mr. Warner comes to the Commission from Merck & Co., Inc., where he was Managing Director based in Bucharest, Romania. Prior to that, he held General Manger and marketing positions in global and regional marketing in the Asia Pacific region and led teams while living in Seoul, South Korea; Bangkok, Thailand; and several domestic markets. “I could not be more excited about joining the Commission and the industry at this particular time in our evolution,” Mr. Warner said. “We have tremendous opportunity ahead of us, and I look forward to working with our state’s growers and wineries to realize our full potential as a unified industry.”

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Washington State Wine Commission. In 1987, the Washington State legislature created this government agency with the intent of giving a voice to every winery and wine grape grower, and to champion the marketing goals of the Washington State wine industry. Read the article in Tasting Room magazine here.

The federal government today approved Washington's 12th official viticultural area, Naches Heights.
The new American Viticultural Area, or appellation, is on a volcanic plateau above the city of Yakima. It is within the Columbia Valley AVA.
Naches Heights is 13,254 acres in size. Though with just 105 acres of vines, it is the least-planted AVA in Eastern Washington.
Phil Cline, owner of Naches Heights Vineyard and the first person to grow wine grapes in the AVA, said, "We are pleased that the federal government agrees that Naches Heights is a distinctive place to grow wine grapes. We are also pleased that all of the vine growers on Naches Heights are committed to sustainable viticulture."
Read more: Tri-City Herald

The Seattle Times editorial board toasts the Washington State wine industry and its flagship event - Taste Washington - for driving economic growth in the state. Read the full column here.

SEATTLE (November 16, 2011) – The Washington State Wine Commission and Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) today announced the formation of a new partnership to produce Taste Washington, the nation’s largest single-region wine and food event held annually in Seattle. The Taste Washington Grand Tasting, previously a one-day event, will now expand to two days, Saturday, March 31, 2012, and Sunday, April 1, 2012, at CenturyLink Field Event Center in Seattle.

Wine Spectator's Harvey Steiman delivers a glowing review on the wines of Washington State, with a particular focus on the region's great value across the price spectrum.

Four Washington Wines made the Wine Enthuisast list for the Top 100 Wines of 2011.
#3 Leonetti Cellers 2008 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
#16 Cayuse 2008 Walla Walla Valley Cailloux Vineyard Syrah
#35 DeLille Cellars 2009 Columbia Valley Chaleur Estate Blanc
#42 Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen 2009 Columbia Valley Eroica Riesling

The entire list can be viewed on the Wine Enthusiast website here.

Jon Bonné, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Editor lists the Top 100 wines from the West Coast for 2011. Nine Washington wines make the list:

2010 Pacific Rim Columbia Valley Riesling
2009 Amavi Walla Walla Valley Syrah
2009 Betz Family La Cote Patriarche Yakima Valley Syrah
2008 Andrew Will Two Blondes Vineyard Yakima Valley Red Wine
2009 Barnard Griffin Columbia Valley Merlot
2009 Buty Columbia Valley Merlot-Cabernet Franc
2008 Cadence Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain Red Wine
2008 Gramercy Cellars Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Januik Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Read the entire article here.

Wine Spectator's yearly round up of "the year's most exciting wines" contains 7 wines from Washington, all placing within the Top 50 and with an average score of 94 points. The average price for the Washington wine is $38, while the average price for the rest of the wines in the Top 50 is $43.

#6 95pts $35 Baer Ursa Columbia Valley 2008
#15 95pts $36 Efeste Syrah Yakima Valley Jolie Bouche Boushey Vineyard 2008
#18 94pts $30 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2008
#25 93pts $24 Owen Roe Syrah Columbia Valley Ex Umbris 2009
#32 95pts $72 Andrew Will Sorella Horse Heaven Hills 2008
#39 93pts $32 Tamarack Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2007
#41 93pts $37 L’Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 2008

Wine Enthusiast editors selected the most cellar worthy wines released in 2011. 100 wines from around the world were selected for this honor, with an average score of 95.1 and an average price $97.51. This list includes 10 wines from Washington wineries. The average score for the wines from Washington is 96 and the average price is $72.

#16 Buty 2007 Columbia Rediviva Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah
#17 Cayuse 2007 Cailloux Vineyard Syrah
#26 Rasa Vineyards 2008 DuBrul Vineyard Creative Impulse
#30 Charles Smith 2007 Royal City Stoneridge Vineyard Syrah
#34 Mark Ryan 2008 Dead Horse
#38 Januik 2007 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
#41 Betz Family 2008 Père de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon
#49 L’Ecole No. 41 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
#53 Leonetti Cellar 2008 Reserve
#56 Gramercy Cellars 2009 The Third Man Red

Check the PDF for the full list.

The Top 100 Best Buys of 2011 as selected by the Wine Enthusiast editors include 8 Washington State wines. Washington winery Pacific Rim was honored with the top spot for their 2010 Columbia Valley Riesling. The remaining Washington best buys include:

#10 Washington Hills 2010 Washington State Sauvignon Blanc
#15 Hogue 2009 Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer
#27 Stonecap 2009 Columbia Valley Merlot
#34 J. Bookwalter 2010 Columbia Valley Anecdote Riesling
#50 Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Columbia Valley Blanc de Blancs
#85 Barnard Griffin 2009 Columbia Valley Fume Blanc
#96 Arbor Crest 2009 Columbia Valley Bacchus Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Click on the PDF to view the entire list.

Congratulations to the 11 Washington wineries on Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries of 2011 list! Andrew Will, Buty, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest, Gramercy Cellars, Januik, L'Ecole No 41, Leonetti Cellar, Mark Ryan Winery, Pepper Bridge, Sparkman Cellars