Expose Yourself in Woodinville
NOVELTY HILL-JANUIK WINERY, WOODINVILLE
Woodsy Woodinville reveals its modern side at the gray cube of concrete fabulousness that is the Novelty Hill-Januik building.
The two wineries operate independently from each other but share a winemaker—Mike Januik—along with the facility. On weekends, Microsoftee crowds flock to the 360-degree bar, where $5 buys them a choice of four pours from 10 varietals available for tasting. Four flatbread pizzas are available for Saturday and Sunday lunch; they all pair excellently with Novelty Hill’s fruity 2007 Stillwater Creek sangiovese. 14710 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Woodinville, 425-481-5502; noveltyhilljanuik.com
BE SURE TO SIP We love Mike Januik’s way with the white wines, especially his 2007 Stillwater Creek roussanne and chardonnay.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE Consider opting in to Cellar Circle (there are three membership tiers) to gain access to limited releases, waived tasting fees, and invitation-only parties and events.
Live the Dream in Lake Chelan
NEFARIOUS CELLARS, LAKE CHELAN
If you’ve ever daydreamed your way out of a staff meeting and into a sun-drenched afternoon in wine country, the image in your head probably looked a lot like Nefarious Cellars. Topping a vine-bedecked hill overlooking sparkling Lake Chelan, the tasting room buzzes with hotspot energy but is unadorned with the tourist-trap bric-a-brac you’ll find at neighboring wineries—lest homemade jam and souvenir stemware distract from the wine itself.
Of course, no picture-perfect winery experience is complete without a backstory: Nefarious is run by a cute young couple—she (Heather Neff) is in charge of white wines, he (Dean Neff) makes the reds—who returned to their native Chelan after learning the way of the vine in Oregon. When you go, start by tasting Heather’s whites—her off-dry riesling (made with fruit from the Stone’s Throw Vineyard) her crisp, drinkable viognier. Then move on to Dean’s reds—an estate-grown syrah, a tasty cab made with fruit from Riverbend Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope. Before you leave, wander out to the deck to take in the lake and offer up a pet or two to Lucy, the golden retriever who greets guests sweetly as they enter and leave this little plot of paradise. 495 South Lakeshore Rd, Chelan, 509-682-9505; nefariouscellars.com
WHEN TO GO Visit the tasting room from April through October, hours vary depending on the season.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE If you’re looking for lunch, head to the opposite shore of Lake Chelan. The bistro at Vin du Lac winery has panini, pureed soups, and salads, plus more jaw-dropping views of the water.
Go Green in the Tri-Cities
BADGER MOUNTAIN VINEYARD AND POWERS WINERY, KENNEWICK
Badger Mountain Vineyard, the first certified organic vineyard in Washington State, sits behind a quiet subdivision populated with identical houses. But its origins are anything but cookie-cutter.
Back in 1982, Bill Powers, an Oklahoma cattle rancher who moved to the Tri-Cities area in 1957, saw the potential in Washington’s burgeoning wine industry. He sold his family orchard and planted a 73-acre vineyard on the southern slope of Badger Mountain in the Rattlesnake Hills. But Powers grew increasingly concerned about the health of vineyard workers and nearby residents. So he switched to organic farming methods.
Over the years, the winery’s commitment to the environment has extended beyond producing organic vino. Tractors are fueled with homebrewed biodiesel made from restaurant cooking oil, and sunshine powers the winery’s cozy 900-square-foot tasting room. “Eventually, the winery, barrel room, and entire operation will be solar-powered,” says Powers’s son and winemaker Greg.
At the tasting room, pick from a staggering 20 varietals under the Badger Mountain and Powers labels. 1106 North Jurupa St, Kennewick, 800-643-9463; badgermtnvineyard.com
BE SURE TO SIP On our last visit, we couldn’t seem to stop drinking the 2007 syrah.
WHEN TO GO Consider arranging a trip during the annual Tri-Cities Wine Festival, held this year November 5-6.
Published: September 2010
Portteus…..YES!
You guys removed all the comments from the 100 Best Washington Wines article… why did you do that? But aren’t… you are in the kitchen serving up your processes and methodologies that your journalists use to create work presented in YOUR magazine…I realize it is hard to take criticism however comments provide objective feedback and questions that deserve to be aired…it is rather shortsided and dare I suggest ….cowardly…
Delete them here and they will just show up on another article, perhaps totally unreated to wine…
The 100 Best Washington wines is getting all of the debate over method but this article is the more puzzling of the two for me. There are lots of reasons why to visit a winery. Of course there is the opportunity to taste the wine but it is also the opportunities to experience the wine making process, to enjoy stellar views, to experience the terroir, to enjoy concerts large and small, to enjoy a romantic picnic, to experience events that become treasured memories.
I read the article twice but I am still confused about why some of these particular wineries were chosen. I think it would have been much more helpful to readers to hear suggestions specifically about the best place to picnic, to visit on a day trip, to experience crush, to do barrel tastings, to catch the best views, the most welcoming family wineries, the most family and dog friendly etc. Oh yeah, better not forget the wine, like the wineries that have special reserve or library tastings.
No one mentioned the Prosser Wine & Food Fair!! Coming up pretty soon in early August. SO MUCH FUN! With amazing wine from all the local vineyards in WA’s beautiful wine country. I went last year with friends and we are definitely trying to go again.
Check out the Pontin Del Roza vineyard too; they are now pretty much my standard I hold other wines to! Red or white you will love their creations… :)
Portteus has been my favorite for years, last visit every single bottle was over the top good. This lead to several cases being bought. I enjoyed the 2007 estate bottle of reserve red wine last night and am still thinking about the rich deep flavors…Delish!