Cedergreen Cellars

Cedergreen has been making wine since the early 2000s but only recently opened its first tasting room. Seek out a palate-coating, old-vine chenin blanc and the gamay noir, both rarities in this state.

Best In Class - 2012 Thuja

Gold Medal - 2018 Chenin Blanc

Silver Medal - 2018 Gamay Noir

Cedergreen Cellars 2017 Gamay Noir, $27

Rating: OUTSTANDING!

Kevin Cedergreen dialed in his Gamay Noir program virtually immediately, starting with the 2015 vintage and pulling from Skyline Vineyard, a planting at more than 1,100 feet elevation in the Columbia Basin. Tank-fermented and allowed to age 18 months in a puncheon, this is an elegant, light-bodied wine with a lot of personality. Aromas of pomegranate, cranberry sauce and summer rain meet you at the glass. Sublime tannins and juiciness keep the bright sensations moving around your mouth as raspberry, damp earth and freesia flowers deliver a satisfying conclusion. Suggested pairings include lamb, roast turkey or salmon. This summer, it earned a gold medal in the 2020 Cascadia International Wine Competition.

91 Points - 2017 Chenin Blanc

The aromas are vibrant, with notes of peach, fig and beeswax. Medium-bodied, textured tropical flavors follow, persisting on the finish. It's a complete delight and shows a lot of staying power. Drink now, or put some in the cellar. SEAN P. SULLIVAN

 2017 Gamay Noir - Gold Medal!

Double Gold - 2017 Gamay Noir

Judges' Choice - 2017 Sauvignon Blanc

Double Gold - 2016 Chenin Blanc

89 Points - 2017 Sauvignon Blanc

Crisp and appealingly grassy, with lively Meyer lemon accents. Drink now. 1,370 cases made. — TF

89 Points - 2017 Sauvignon Blanc

Light aromas of mineral, herb and citrus are followed by bright, fuller-styled, well-balanced fruit flavors that carry on the finish. Pair it with food to see it at its best. SEAN P. SULLIVAN

Cedergreen Cellars 2016 Chenin Blanc, $19

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90 POINTS, EDITOR'S CHOICE

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The aromas draw you into the glass, with notes of honeycomb, apple and the underside of a pineapple. It drinks dry, with a textured feel to the pineapple flavors. Yum.

Heard It Through the Decades-Old Grapevine

Cedergreen Cellars Old Vine Chenin Blanc Columbia Valley 2016 $19

Chenin blanc made from old vines is becoming increasingly rare in Washington as its grapevines are replaced by more profitable varieties. Goodbye, vinous history. This wine from Cedergreen Cellars stands as a testament to what we’re losing: enchanting aromas of apple, honeycomb, and pineapple that lead to dry, textured flavors. Pair it with a hearty Thanksgiving spread. —Sean P. Sullivan