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theCompass mobile application is a winery, brewery, and distillery locator for North America. |
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Columbia Winery
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Founded in 1962 by ten friends, six of whom were University of Washington professors, Columbia Winery is Washington state’s first premium winery. Originally known as Associated Vintners, the group was united in the belief that classic European vinifera vines could survive the harsh Washington winters and that fine wine could be made in Washington state. They began by making wines in the garage of Dr. Lloyd Woodburne, Columbia’s first winemaker, in the Seattle neighborhood of Laurelhurst. The results far exceeded their expectations. "Those first years of the 1960s are the turning point in modern wine history" writes Hugh Johnson, one of the world’s most widely read and respected wine authorities. In his book “Vintage,” he pays tribute to the Associated Vintners and the industry they helped build in the Northwest, at precisely the same time that California and Australia were awakening to the possibility of making high quality wine. Columbia Winery has grown steadily over the past forty years as a leader in Washington’s burgeoning wine industry. The winery’s production in 2002 reached 140,000 cases and its distribution now includes exports to Canada, Europe and the Pacific Rim. David Lake, Master of Wine, joined Columbia Winery in 1979 as winemaker and has continued the pioneering spirit of Columbia Winery’s founders. David is most renowned for his experimentation with new varietals and for producing the first series of vineyard-designated wines in Washington state. He was the first winemaker to produce several varietals in Washington, including Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Gris. Today, David continues to experiment with new varietals and in new directions. He is committed to creating the highest quality wines possible. Columbia Winery has a reputation for producing award-winning wines of outstanding quality and boasts a wine selection second to none. In addition to crafting excellent red wines such as Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia offers distinctive dry white wines such as Chardonnay, Semillon and Pinot Gris as well as exceptional Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Columbia Winery also offers a David Lake Signature Series of fine wines including Cabernet Sauvignon from long-established vineyards such as Otis, Sagemoor and the renowned Red Willow vineyard. Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Barbera, Zinfandel and the state’s first Syrah are also part of this signature series. Columbia Winery’s vineyards lie on the same latitudes as premium wine producing areas of France, yet the winery aims to produce distinctive Washington wines. The winery uses only European vinifera grapes grown in the Columbia and Yakima Valley regions of eastern Washington. The area’s long, hot, sunny days and cool, clear nights allow the vineyards to produce grapes full of complex flavors and aromas.
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Barbera Alder Ridge
Bright, youthful ruby red. Attractive, spicy, raspberry fruit and silky texture. Should be great with pasta and traditional Italian fare.
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Ruby red in color. Attractive berry and cherry fruit with herbal notes. Full flavored with ripe, mature tannins and sweet fruit.
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Cabernet Sauvignon Red Willow Vineyard
Deep, youthful ruby red color. Fine aromas of cedar, plums and dark berry fruit with a hint of herbs. Full and powerful on the palate, ripe tannins balanced by sweet fruit provide a velvety texture and lengthy finish.
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Cellarmaster Johannisberg Riesling
Fine rich aroma of apricot and honey, crisp clean acidity with fine lingering aftertaste. This wine pairs well with Smoked salmon, tempura vegetables, ahi chargrilled, and appetizers.
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Cellarmaster’s Riesling
Columbia Winery Cellarmaster's Riesling is a crowd-pleasing favorite and one of Columbia Winery's most popular wines.
The 2004 vintage welcomed a warm and sunny summer followed by a cool, dry autumn. The grapes ripened slowly, creating intensified and balanced fruit flavors.
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Chardonnay
Pale, golden yellow in color. Apple, melon and toasted hazelnut fruit backed by vanilla and oak spice. Full flavored and fresh, with crisp acidity which is a perfect complement to seafood and chicken.
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Chardonnay Otis Vineyard, Block 6
Pale golden yellow with powerful aromas of toasted hazelnut and ripe melon with a touch of oak spice. Full flavored with concentrated fruit on the palate accompanied by a fresh underlying acidity and an attractive, lingering aftertaste.
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Chardonnay Wyckoff Vineyard
Straw yellow. Fine aroma of tropical fruit with notes of toasted hazelnut and spicy oak. Very fresh with good intensity of sweet fruit. Clean, crisp finish with
flavors that linger in the mouth.
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Gewurztraminer
Pale straw yellow color. On the nose there are hints of allspice and pink grapefruit. Full flavored and bright with sweet fruit on the palate. Finishes cleanly with a good balance of acidity. Versatile with food, especially with spicy Pacific Rim cuisine.
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Merlot
Bright ruby red with good depth. Attractive red cherry and berry aroma with a touch of herbs and cedar. Fresh, sweet fruit with fine, ripe tannin structure. An elegant, lively wine that is extremely food friendly.
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Merlot - Cabernet
Medium ruby red, bright red cherry with herbal nuances. Sweet fruit with soft, silky texture.
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Pinot Gris
Bright, straw yellow. Aroma of spicy grapefruit with notes of peach and melon. Fresh, full-bodied and round with a crisp, lively finish.
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Sangiovese Red Willow Vineyard
Bright, medium ruby red. Fresh, ripe red cherry fruit with a touch of spice. Youthful and lively flavors with a good underlying acidity, which should provide a delightful accompaniment to chicken, turkey and grilled salmon.
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Semillon
Pale straw color. Bright aromas of melon, lemon, and fresh fig with a touch of Bordeaux lanolin. Full flavored with sweet fruit. Clean, dry, and fresh with
good underlying acidity.
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Syrah
Very deep ruby with purple rim. Charming red
plum and berry fruit with notes of smoked meat, tar and a touch of oak. A big mouthful of smooth, ripe and sweet fruit, balanced ripe tannins and good underlying acidity. A balanced wine that is delightful now and could age five to seven years in the cellar.
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Syrah Red Willow Vineyard, South Chapel Block
Deep ruby color. Attractive berry and cherry pie fruit with floral note. Elegant, smooth and silky palate with sweet underlying fruit and a good lingering finish.
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Viognier Red Willow Vineyard
Bright, straw yellow. Fragrant aroma of ripe peach and pear. Mouth filling flavors with nice crisp acidity. This is an excellent match for seafood and chicken dishes.
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Woodburne Cuvée Chardonnay
Brilliant straw yellow. Aroma of melon, apple and pineapple attractively complemented by a touch of tasty oak. Lively palate, balanced, and elegant with crisp, clean finish.
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Zinfandel Alder Ridge Vineyard
Medium ruby color. Black pepper spice with notes of raspberry, anise and vanilla. Substantial palate. Full and round with a meaty, spicy finish.
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