Woodinville, Washington is an intimate and unhurried home to 130 wineries from across the state. The beating heart of Washington’s wine heritage, Woodinville’s Ste. Michelle Estate Wines brought glory to the wine region with its terrific performance at the 2021 Sommelier Choice Awards. The Chateau Ste. Michelle x Dr.Loosen 2019 Eroica Riesling, a collaboration between Ste. Michelle and famed Mosel winemaker Ernst Loosen took home the Wine of the Year, White Wine of the Year, Best Wine by Country and Best Wine by Varietal award at the 2021 Sommelier Choice Awards. 

Being chosen as the Wine of the Year by Master Sommeliers at the competition means this is undoubtedly the wine you need to order the next time you are at a restaurant. Experience the magic of sipping on the best wine in the world, as picked by the masters themselves. 

One of the leading wine competitions around the world, the Sommelier Choice Awards has consistently brought to light wines that warrant a place on a restaurant/bars wine list, retailer shelves and a wine enthusiasts collection. The judging process at the Sommelier Choice Awards stands out from other wine competitions because of the focus it puts on other parameters along with the quality of the wine. The focus is also on a wine’s food pairing ability, typicity, value for money and packaging. The factors a drinker considers before buying a bottle are all given the spotlight at the competition. 

To shine the light on such great wines is a difficult task. Only those people who have in-depth knowledge and expertise on all things wine can take up the mantle of a judge. This year’s competition saw Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, wine directors and wine educators taste and judge the best wines the world has to offer. The judging panel consisted of names like Jim Bube (Master Sommelier and General Manager of Mercantile Dining and Provision in Denver, CO); David Keck (Master Sommelier and Wine Director at VT Wine Shepherd); Sean Widger (Wine Director at Alexander's Steakhouse, San Francisco) and other notable names of the US wine industry.

 

Ernst Loosen and Bob Bertheau, Source Facebook

Every one of these judges found the Chateau Ste. Michelle x Dr Loosen 2019 Eroica Riesling to be a delight. The Wine of the Year awardee has aromas of sweet lime and mandarin oranges with subtle mineral notes. To achieve the Eroica style, the Chateau focuses on bright fruit with crisp acidity and enhanced minerality that is beautifully balanced by the Riesling fruit. The tartness on the palate pairs well with a green pad Thai or a firecracker chicken that will add another layer of experience to the meal. 

Chateau Ste. Michelle’s road to glory

The winery’s roots date back to the Repeal of Prohibition when it was built on the 1912 estate owned by Seattle lumber baron Frederick Stimson. The years since have been one where the winery has taken new steps and added new collections to their wine list. In 1967, they started a line of premium vinifera called Ste. Michelle Vintners under the eye of proficient winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. Five years later, the first vineyards were planted at Cold Creek Vineyard in Eastern Washington.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Source Facebook

In 1976, a French style Chateau winery was built in Woodinville which also resulted in the change in name from Ste. Michelle Vintners to Chateau Ste. Michelle. 2019 saw Chateau Ste. Michelle celebrating more than 50 years of winemaking. Today, it is one of the few premium wine brands with two state-of-the-art wineries, one for their reds and the other for the whites. The reds are made at the Canoe Ridge Estate in Eastern Washington while the whites are made in Woodinville. 

A range of top-shelf wines

At Chateau Ste. Michelle, the range of wines is prolific. The award-winning Chateau Ste. Michelle x Dr Loosen 2019 Eroica Riesling is a part of the Eroica series. The winery is also home to other collections like Impetus, Columbia Valley, Limited Release, Indian Wells and more. 

The Artist Series, drawing on the inspiration artists and winemakers take from each other stands out in a collection of terrific wines. The series includes Bordeaux-style blends that honor world-class artisans like Alden Mason, Andre Petterson and Dale Chihuly crafted by Chateau Ste. Michelle’s star winemaker Bob Bertheau. 

Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery's Collection, Source Facebook

The Elements series brings grapes sourced from 30 family farms and Chateau Ste. Michelle’s vineyards in Washington together to produce quality wines. The fresh fruits and botanicals are infused to bring a unique character to the varietals. 

The Eroica series with the Wine of the Year award is the shining star in the collection. A testament to the winery’s commitment of combining Old World philosophy with the New World attitude, Eroica is the bar for Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Riesling leadership. Bob and Ernst’s collaboration has helped them create wines to near perfection.  

Shop any of these wines and savor them at home. Maybe open a bottle to celebrate a special occasion with friends and family.

Making wines with a sustainable approach

With great appreciation for where the winery is headed and also an equal appreciation for where they have come from, sustainability has become a top priority for the team. The conservation efforts are focused on the reduction of energy consumption, water conservation and solid waste reduction and management. The winery has implemented a wide range of recycling programs and is also a Washington State certified EnviroStar business. 

Chateau Ste. Michelle’s rich heritage and importance to the Washington wine industry make it a very enticing place to visit. The winery, Washington State’s oldest, is surrounded by 105 acres of woods and offers a unique craftsman style architecture. With all that the winery has to offer, an hour can quickly become three. The winery has a host of experiences for people to enjoy with attention given to specific events as well. 

An event at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Source Facebook

For celebrating the month of Pride, the winery offers the INTRINSIC Wine Co. Pride Month Tasting Experience - a pop-up tasting experience at Chateau Ste. Michelle featuring the wines of the INTRINSIC Wine Co. Priced at $20 per person. It is a very indulgent experience to enjoy.  

Available Reservation Times:

Wednesday through Sunday: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm
Friday & Saturday Twilight Tastings: 5:00-7:00 pm Walk-in tastings only, no reservations available.
Reservations are approximately 75 minutes. Maximum 5 guests per reservation.

The Woodinville tasting room is only open to those with a vaccination card in light of the times we live in. Whether it is about enjoying a small glass of wine or taking the Brunch Box Experience, Chateau Ste. Michelle’s team knows how to deliver a fine experience for anyone who walks through their doors. 

Peruse their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages for details of the wines they make and those who enjoy it, the events and tastings held at the winery and other locations around the country. Their YouTube channel provides great insight into how the wines are made at Chateau Ste. Michelle and also gives out great recipes to pair with their world-class wines.