Happy New Year! As we begin 2021, it would normally be time for our annual 50 Favorite Washington Wineries List for the previous year. But 2020 was far from normal. Firstly, thanks to COVID, we attended our last wine event on Feb. 29. Secondly, we had to cancel our planned trips to wineries in Walla Walla, Woodinville, Lake Chelan, B.C. and Oregon. As a result, we decided to highlight our favorite 50 wines instead of wineries in 2020. These are the wines we enjoyed at home or with members of our pod on socially-distanced outdoor patios. In addition, we expanded the list to include wines from Oregon, California, B.C., Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France, Spain, Chile and Argentina. Read on for our favorite 50 wines in 2020.
Write for Wine’s Top 50 Wines in 2020
Above all, we loved all 50 of these wines. However, please note that some are available in more recent vintages. Similarly, we enjoyed more than one wine from some of these wineries. But in the interest of fairness, we chose just the one we liked best so more wineries could be listed. Most importantly, we encourage you to try some of them. Moreover, we recommend that you click on the winery links for more information! In addition, some wineries have specials on prices and shipping.
The List (in alphabetical order by winery)
- Alexandria Nicole Cellars Alderdale Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (Washington)
- Alloro Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017 (Oregon)
- Barrage Cellars Stone & Vine Syrah 2014 (Washington)
- Black Hills Estate Nota Bene 2016 (British Columbia)
- Block Wines In the Hall of the Mountain Queen Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (Washington)
- Bodega Chacra Barda Pinot Noir 2015 (Argentina)
- Boudreaux Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Washington)
- Cooperativa Vinícola San Valero 500 Manos 2016 (Spain)
- Chateau Climens Asphodèle 2019 (France)
- Clos Du Soleil Fumé Blanc 2018 (British Columbia)
- Colli Vaibo Lugana DOC (Italy)
- Craggy Range Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (New Zealand)
- Donnnachiara Aletheia Greco di Tufo 2018 (Italy)
- DeLille Cellars Chaleur Blanc 2019 (Washington)
- Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (Washington)
- Edmunds St. John Bone-Jolly Gamay Noir Rosé 2019 (California)
- Famille Perrin Nature Rosé 2019 (France)
- Force Majeure Collaboration Series Ptera Ciel Du Cheval Vineyard 2010 (Washington)
- Gramercy Cellars Lower East Syrah 2013 (Washington)
- Greywacke Wild Sauvignon 2016 (New Zealand)
- Hard Row to Hoe Cabernet Franc 2013 (Washington)
- Jonata Estate El Alma de Jonata “The Soul” Cabernet Franc 2013 (California)
- Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc OTQ 2018 (New Zealand)
- King Estate Pinot Gris 2018 (Oregon)
- La Rata Grenache-Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend 2014 (Washington)
- L’Ecole 41 Apogee 2016 (Washington)
- Lenné Estate South Slope Pinot Noir 2017 (Oregon)
- Liberty Lake Red Mountain Zinfandel Red Mountain 2018 (Washington)
- Liminal Wine High Canyon Red Mountain Syrah 2018 (Washington)
- Long Shadows Cymbal Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Washington)
- Lula Cellars Peterson Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018 (California)
- Montonale Lugana DOC Montunal (Italy)
- Perla Del Garda Lugana DOP (Italy)
- Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Washington)
- Raats Family Wines Cabernet Franc 2012 (South Africa)
- Reynvaan In the Rocks Syrah 2013 (Washington)
- Ricasoli Colledila Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2015 (Italy)
- Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (New Zealand)
- Saviah Cellars The Funk Estate Syrah 2016 (Washington)
- Selva Capuzza Lugana Riserva DOC Menasso (Italy)
- Sgreva Lugana DOC Sirmio (Italy)
- Soul Growers El Mejor Shiraz 2016 (Australia)
- Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (New Zealand)
- Succession Wines Rosé 2018 (Washington)
- Two Vintners Some Days Are Stones Syrah 2015 (Washington)
- Utopia Estate Reserve Pinot Noir Paradise 2017 (Oregon)
- Va Piano Vineyards Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain 2015 (Washington)
- Ventisquero Grey [Glacier] Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (Chile)
- Villa Maria Taylors Pass Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (New Zealand)
- Woodward Canyon Charbonneau 2014 (Washington)
Summary
To sum it up, some of these are special-occasion wines because of their high quality and subsequently, high price point. Likewise, others are special good-value wines enjoyed throughout the year.
In conclusion, we hope you stay safe, stay home and have a healthy 2021.
And certainly, thank you for your support for Write for Wine over the last 13+ years, here and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Happy New Year!
Margot and Dave
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