The Facts Behind the Flavor

Vineyards are planted, 500 acres per year, in Paterson, Washington along the Washington-Oregon border, the future home of the Columbia Crest winery.

Seattle’s Howard S. Wright, Inc., drafts design plans for country French manor house winery. Ninety percent of the winemaking facility is housed underground to maintain year-round temperature and humidity control.

Winery construction begins in the midst of the estate vineyards.

California winemaker Doug Gore is named Columbia Crest head winemaker.

Winery partially opened for 1982 harvest.

Winery and visitor center is officially dedicated and opened in June. The winery represents a $26 million investment in the future of Washington State winemaking.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms grants official appellation (AVA) status to Washington’s Columbia Valley.

First release of Columbia Crest 1984 Vineyard Reserve White, a medium dry blend of Johannisberg Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Muscat Canelli.

First release of Columbia Crest Vineyard Reserve Blush, a Grenache-based blend.

First release of white varietal wines from the 1986 vintage: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Johannisberg Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Chenin Blanc.

1988 First release of red varietal wines from the 1984 vintage: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Release of Semillon Chardonnay. Columbia Crest is the first U.S. winery to produce this blend.

California Wine Experience names 1987 Merlot to list of “Top 10” wines in the world under $8.

Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate names Columbia Crest as one of the 24 "Best Value Wineries" in the world.

Impact magazine names Columbia Crest as one of the "Top Five U.S. Wineries" and to the "Nation’s 20 Hot Brands" list.

First release of Barrel Select line: 1987 Barrel Select Merlot; 1989 Barrel Select Chardonnay.

Impact Magazine awards "Hot Brand" honors to Columbia Crest for second consecutive year.

Walter Clore, Ph.D., Washington State University researcher and the father of the Washington wine industry begins irrigation experiments at Columbia Crest.

Impact Magazine awards "Hot Brand" honors to Columbia Crest for third consecutive year.

Ray Einberger, Maître de Chai for Napa Valley’s Opus One, joins Columbia Crest to assist Doug Gore with winemaking, specializing in red varietals and Reserve wine production.

1990 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon is only U.S. wine to be awarded a gold medal at Challenge du Vin, in Bordeaux, France.

Impact Magazine awards "Hot Brand" honors to Columbia Crest for fifth consecutive year

First release of Estate Series line: 1995 Estate Chardonnay, 1993 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 1993 Estate Merlot with all grapes sourced exclusively from the vineyards surrounding the winery.

Wine Spectator first annual readers’ poll votes Columbia Crest “Best Winery For Value In the United States,” the only non-California winery to win an American wine category.

1994 Columbia Crest Merlot is the only U.S. Merlot to win a gold medal at the Challenge International du Vin, in Bordeaux, France. It also received one of 50 Prizes of Excellence, and only four were awarded to American wines.

Estate Vineyards are planted with 52 acres of Merlot.

Wine Spectator ranks the 1995 Estates Series Chardonnay #59 on its “Top 100” list.

Wine Spectator ranks the 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon #74 on its “Top 100” list.

1998 Estate Vineyards situated around the winery are expanded with 31 acres of Syrah.

1999 Estate Vineyards are expanded adding 134 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 58 acres of Syrah.

ColumbiaCrest.com is launched.

Wine Spectator ranks the 1997 Estates Series Chardonnay #40 on its “Top 100” list.

Wine Spectator ranks the 1996 Estates Series Cabernet Sauvignon #37 on its “Top 100” list. Wine Spectator ranks the 1998 Estate Series Chardonnay #79 on its “Top 100” list. Wine Spectator ranks the 1997 Estates Series Merlot #83 on its “Top 100” list. Columbia Crest is the only American winery to have three wines named to the “Top 100” list.

Grand Estates Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon introduced.

Reserve Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon introduced.

Food & Wine awards the 1998 Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon with its “American Wine Awards” for the best Cabernet Sauvignon under $15.

Wine Spectator ranks the 1999 Grand Estates Chardonnay #40 on its “Top 100” list.

1999 Walter Clore Private Reserve, Bordeaux-style red wine is introduced. The wine honors Washington wine pioneer, Walter Clore, Ph.D.

Food & Wine awards the 2000 Grand Estates Chardonnay with its “American Wine Awards” for the best Chardonnay under $20.

Wine Spectator ranks the 2000 Grand Estates Chardonnay #16 on its “Top 100” list.

Wine Spectator ranks the 1999 Reserve Syrah #31 on its “Top 100” list.