Highly Decorated Yakima Valley Wines Showcased at “Secret Crush” Event

The Yakima Valley has a long history of award-winning wines and critically acclaimed vineyards. In addition, it is the state’s oldest American Viticultural Area (recognized in 1983) and its vineyards supply over half of Washington’s total wine production.

On February 13 I participated in an evening of food and wine tasting at Yakima’s historic Capitol Theatre building. The event, titled, “Secret Crush,” kicked off the Yakima Valley’s traditional Valentine’s Day weekend of Red Wine & Chocolate festivities, and featured the best of the best from over 20 Valley wineries and vineyards.

Wine Yakima Valley Executive Director Barbara Glover and her staff did an excellent job of organizing and presenting this first-of-its-kind event for the area. Glover promised that this would be, “an awesome wine tasting event…with the top wines in the Valley, and in many cases, the top wines in the state.”

By all accounts, she exceeded the attendees expectations…mine included.

The event showcased dozens of small production wines, 90 point-plus wines scored by publications including Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator magazines, and gold medal winners from competitions such as the Seattle Wine Awards and Northwest Wine Summit.

With wines of such high caliber, it’s difficult for me to even begin to choose a favorite. But of the wines I tasted, here are the standouts that I thought were particularly notable:

Sparkling wines – Treveri Cellars Non-Vintage Blanc de Blancs, Treveri Cellars Non-Vintage Rosé Sec.

White wines – Naches Heights 2012 Riesling, Owen Roe Winery 2013 DuBrul Vineyard Chardonnay.

Red wines (single varietal) – Airfield Estates Winery 2012 Malbec, Cultura Wine 2011 Meek Family Estate Vineyard Merlot, Hightower Cellars 2011 Merlot, Kestrel Vintners 2011 Petite Verdot, Lookout Point Winery 2009 Malbec, Lookout Point Winery 2011 Grenache, Portteus Winery 2010 Reserve Cabernet Franc, Reflection Vineyards 2012 VanArnam Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Two Mountain Winery Reserve Brothers 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Red wines (blends) – Côte Bonneville 2006 Carriage House, Kana Winery 2009 Scarlet Fire, Owen Roe Winery 2011 Gap Vineyard Bordeaux-style blend, Reflection Vineyards 2011 Mélange, Thurston Wolfe 2009 The Geologist, Upland Vineyard 2008 Teunis.

Keep in mind that because of the limited production of many of these wines (in some instances, 50 cases or less) the best place to find them would be directly from the winery or by ordering online.

And be prepared to pay a premium on some of these wines, although, I suppose, that’s the price one would expect for this level of exclusivity.

For more information about a visit to the Yakima Valley wine country including area wineries, vineyards and upcoming events: wineyakimavalley.org.