Sean P. Sullivan Northwest Wine Report

22/03/2025

Friday night folks! First weekend of Spring! What's everyone opening up this evening?

20/03/2025

We wanted to take a moment to highlight our very own founding owner, Darcey and her daughter and second gen co-owner, Jordan who will be featured at the 2025 Great Women of Washington Wine luncheon.

This very special fundraising event and panel discussion will celebrate and honor seven women who carved distinct paths for women in our industry.

📆 Friday, March 28th
⏰ 11AM - 3PM
📍 The Walter Clore Center in Prosser, WA
🎟️ Visit The Alliance of Women in Washington Wine for tickets

Give this post a ❤️ or leave them a comment here to show your support!

19/03/2025

Earlier this month, Willamette Valley’s Argyle Winery named Kate Payne Brown winemaker. Brown becomes the esteemed sparkling producer’s third winemaker in the last 38 years, following in the footsteps of founding winemaker Rollin Soles and Nate Klostermann.

At Northwest Wine Report, a look at Brown's wine journey.

Kate Payne Brown, Argyle Winery Earlier this month, Willamette Valley’s Argyle Winery named winemaker. Brown becomes the esteemed sparkling producer’s third winemaker in the last 38 years, following in the footsteps of founding winemaker Rollin Soles and Nate Klostermann. “As someone who has c...

17/03/2025

“We’ve been wanting to have a place to meet and present us and our brand for a while,” says Foolhardy Vintners co-owner Jonathan Edelman.

That time has come. Foolhardy has opened a tasting room in Walla Walla.

People heading to the valley for Spring Kickoff and Spring Release weekends, if you're looking for a new place to check out, look no further. The wines are stellar.

Full story at Northwest Wine Report.

Daniel Sogg (left) and Jonathan Edelman, Foolhardy Vintners Washington’s Foolhardy Vintners has opened its first tasting room. The tasting room is located in Walla Walla at 134 West Poplar Street in the historic McDonald Feed and Sale Stable building, built in 1905. “We've been wanting to have

17/03/2025

All right folks, Taste Washington weekend is history! People who attended the Grand Tasting on Saturday and Sunday, where did you stop? What stood out?

Wineries who participated, how'd it go? What were your perceptions of the event?

16/03/2025

Saturday night folks! What's everyone opening up this evening?

People who attended the Taste Washington Grand Tasting today, what stood out?

16/03/2025

I pinch hit today at Taste Washington as moderator for the "Northern Whites: Redefining White Wines" seminar after moderator Leslie Sbrocco had something come up this week. Great to talk about recent changes in Washington white wines with panelists (L to R) Erik Segelbaum (GoodSomm), Andrew Latta (LATTA WINES), Elizabeth Keyser (Rocky Pond Winery), Peter Devison (Devison Vintners), and Luke Bradford (Cor Cellars) along with yours truly.

15/03/2025

Friday night folks! Taste Washington weekend is here! What's everyone opening up this evening?

For people attending the Grand Tasting Saturday and Sunday, make sure to check out my 20 must-try wines this weekend. It's linked in the comments.

Also, there are still a few seats left at some of the seminars Saturday morning 10:30-12. I'll put the link the comments.

Finally, in case you missed them, other stories from this week included:

Brian Mackey named winemaker at Dineen Vineyards

Kevin White Winery to leave on a high note after 15 years

Jeremy Santo, Washington wine industry veteran, dies at 45

Okay, go!

14/03/2025

Today I am the bearer of some incredibly tragic news. Long-time Washington wine industry veteran Jeremy Santo has passed away. He was 45.

Jeremy worked as winemaker at some of Washington’s best known wineries, including Chateau Ste. Michelle, Ryan Patrick, Mercer Estates, and J. Bookwalter. He was the type of person who people gravitated toward and who lit up a room.

Jeremy's passing is a profound loss for his family, friends, and for the Washington wine industry. My deepest sympathies to all who knew him and loved him.

Jeremy Santo, pictured in 2021. Image by Richard Duval. Jeremy Santo, who spent more than 20 years working in the Washington wine industry, died March 12th. The cause was related to injuries sustained in an automobile accident that occurred February 11th. Santo worked as winemaker at some

14/03/2025

This is a don't miss event coming up March 28th!

We hope you can join us for the “Great Women of Washington Wine” luncheon and scholarship fundraiser on Friday, March 28!

This very special luncheon and panel discussion will celebrate seven women pioneers of the Washington wine industry and raise $$$ for our scholarship fund.

Meet our honorees!

🔹 Connie Crawford, grower, Crawford Farms
🔹 Jean Ferguson, co-owner, L’Ecole Winery, presented by Megan Clubb
🔹 Darcey Fugman-Small, co-founder, Woodward Canyon Winery Inc
🔹 Patricia Gelles, co-owner, Klipsun Vineyards
🔹 Julie Grieb, general manager, Treveri Cellars
🔹 Lane Hoss, marketing and operations, Anthony's Restaurants
🔹 Peggy Patterson, co-owner, Hoodsport Winery

We are also holding a casual welcome reception at Wit Cellars on Thursday, March 27.

🍷 WA women winemakers will be pouring at BOTH events. 🍷

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE: https://awwawine.org/store

13/03/2025

Bittersweet news from Washington today. Kevin White Winery - one of the state's top producers of Rhône-style wines - has announced that the winery will be winding down next year.

“We’re going to use the next year to celebrate the winery,” owner and winemaker Kevin White told Northwest Wine Report. “For us, this is a family decision. We’ve decided that we’re going to start thinking about what other passions Steph and I want to pursue.”

Full story at Northwest Wine Report.

Kevin White of Kevin White Winery in 2015 © Richard Duval. Kevin White Winery, one of Washington’s top producers of Rhône-style wines, has announced that the business will be winding down. The news came in an email Thursday morning to club members. The winery plans to sell

12/03/2025

The Grand Tasting at Taste Washington is coming up this weekend! At Northwest Wine Report, I give 20 must-try wines from Amos Rome Vineyards, AniChe Cellars, Betz Family Winery, Cadence Winery, Devison Vintners, Devium Wines, EcholandsWinery, Elentone, Goose Ridge Estate Vineyards and Winery, Gramercy Cellars, Grosgrain Vineyards, Hoquetus Wine Company, Kevin White Winery, Klipsun, Le Doubblé Troubblé Wine Co., Long Shadows Vintners, Prospice Wines, Saviah Cellars, Syncline Winery, and Trothe.

What's on your list to try this weekend?

Taste Washington is coming up with a series of events March 13th through 17th. I'll highlight some of them here. Saturday the 15th starts off with The Seminars from 10:30-12 at the King Street Ballroom. I’ve had the privilege of assisting the Washington Wine Commission

11/03/2025

The Taste Washington seminars are coming up this Saturday from 10:30am-12pm at the King Street Ballroom in Seattle in advance of the Grand Tasting. Since 2013, it has been my privilege to work with Washington State Wine to assist selecting topics, moderators, panelists, and wines.

There's a *great* lineup this year. It includes:

King Cabernet: A Historic Tasting of Washington’s Finest (moderated by Bob Betz, MW)

Northern Brights: Redefining Washington White Wines (moderated by Leslie Sbrocco)

Icons and Innovators: The Wines That Defined Washington (moderated by Chris Tanghe, MS)

Click on the images to see the panelists and wines. I'll also link to where they are on-line. Be there!

10/03/2025

More news from Washington today, with Dineen Vineyards hiring Brian Mackey as winemaker. Mackey spent 14 years at Chateau Ste. Michelle, the last 7 as head red winemaker. Story at Northwest Wine Report.

Brian Mackey, Dineen Vineyards © Carina Skrobecki Dineen Vineyards in Zillah, Washington has named Brian Mackey as winemaker. Mackey spent 14 years at Chateau Ste. Michelle, the past 7 as head red winemaker. “I’m thrilled to join Dineen Vineyards,” Mackey said in a press release. “The oppor...

10/03/2025

Shoreline's Virtue Cellars Winery continues to evolve, slightly shifting wine style, opening a tasting room in Edmonds, and sourcing fruit from new locations. At Northwest Wine Report, an update on the winery.

Also, new reviews from Virtue Cellars Winery, Blakeslee Vineyard Estate, Brian Carter Cellars, Cairdeas Winery, Dusted Valley Wine, Evesham Wood, Haden Fig, Lavinea Winery, Martinez & Martinez Winery, Passing Time Winery, and Time & Direction.

Kevin Mueller, Virtue Cellars 65+ wines reviewed below and in the database, including the latest from Blakeslee, Brian Carter, Cairdeas, Dusted Valley, Evesham Wood, Haden Fig, Lavinea, Martinez & Martinez, Passing Time, Time & Direction, and

09/03/2025

Saturday night folks! What's everyone opening up this evening?

08/03/2025

Friday night folks! Washington Wine Month continues! What's everyone opening up tonight?

Make sure to check out my articles from this week if you haven't already:

Auction of Washington Wines gala moves to The Somm. Hotel & Spa

Washington’s 2024 growing season one of “resilience”

Link in the comments. Go!

06/03/2025

Washington’s 2024 growing season looked like it was over before it started, with a January freeze leading to temperatures as low as -11 degrees Fahrenheit at higher elevation vineyards. However, the damage turned out to be much less severe than anyone could have expected, and the vintage ultimately produced high quality fruit.

“The story of the vintage was resilience,” said Chris Figgins, president of Figgins Family Wine Estates in Walla Walla Valley.

Full story at Northwest Wine Report.

Red Willow Vineyard, Yakima Valley. Below is a growing season report for Washington for the 2024 vintage. See other vintage summaries and reports dating back to 2005 here. See a summary of growing season markers here. The 2024 growing season in Washington was marked by a