2006 Classification of Washington State Wineries

To a large extent, the wineries in each category make wines in different styles that serve different purposes. For example, many of the very good wineries mostly make great everyday and picnic wines, whereas wines made by the extraordinary wineries are more suitable for an elegant dinner or a special occasion. Of course, most wineries make a broad range of wine, so this is definitely a very broad generalization. Any of you who are disturbed by the idea of a classification of Washington Wineries, just think of this as a “best” list similar to “best” lists published by the Weekly or Seattle Magazine. Or just think of it as Gene's List.


Premier Grand Cru (Extraordinary)

Quilceda Creek
Leonetti


Deuxieme Grand Cru (Outstanding)

Andrew Will
Betz
Cadence
DeLille
Januik *
K Vintner
McCrea
Northstar
Pepper Bridge


Troisieme Grand Cru (Exceptional)

Abeja
Amavi
Baer
Beresan
Boudreaux
Brian Carter
Buty
Canon de Sol
Columbia Crest Reserve
Dunham
Fidelitas
Hightower
Isenhauer
L’Ecole
O-S
Reininger
Rulo*
Terra Blanca
Three Rivers
Spring Valley
Walla Walla Vineyards *
Woodwood Canyon


Quatrieme Grand Cru (Excellent)

Andrake
Animale
Apex
Bergevin
Cameraderie
Cougar Crest*
Dusted Valley*
El Mirador
Lake Missoula
Mark Ryan
Novelty Hill*
Red Sky
Saint Laurent
Syncline
Syzygy
Thurston Wolfe
Whitman
Willow Crest*
Wilridge
Yakima Cellars
Zefina
Zerba


Cinqieme Cru ( Very Good)

Cascade Cliffs*
Chinook*
Chatter Creek
Claar
Desert Wind
Gordon Brothers*
Hogue Genesis*
Ryan Patrick
Sagelands*
Wineglass
Yellow Hawk

* Good value


New Wineries (Unclassified)

aMaurice
Chester-Kidder
Fall Line
Feather
Nisqually
Pedestal
Pirouette
Poet's Leap
Sequel
Sparkman
Waters