Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/807384
In 1967, Ste. Michelle Vintners produced its fi rst Cabernet Sauvignon, with guidance and support from the legendary international winemaker André Tchelistcheff . It was the release that put the Washington state wine industry on the map. Still, there were skeptics in those days. "Wine from Washington?" sniff ed one sarcastic critic. "What side of the Potomac do the grapes grow on?" Undeterred, the early pioneers of Washington wine understood the state's potential—with growing regions that share the same latitude and similar terroir as the great French Bordeaux vineyards. Fifty years later, Washington is the nation's No. 2 producer of premium wine with more than 50,000 acres planted, nearly 1,000 wineries in operation and 14 designated appellations. As the state's leading winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle has enjoyed considerable acclaim with 22 "Top 100 Wineries of the Year" honors (Wine & Spirits) and 18 "Top 100 Wines" designations (Wine Spectator). Our landmark chateau near Seattle is one of the Spectator). Our landmark chateau near Seattle is one of the Spectator most visited wineries in the world. We're fl attered, but we don't spend a lot of time polishing our medals. Our goal is to blend craftsmanship with innovation to create exceptional wine experiences. Whether it's a connoisseur opening a bottle of 93-point Cabernet Sauvignon from our Canoe Ridge Estate at a dinner party, or a newbie discovering a Columbia Valley Riesling at our Summer Concert Series. So let's toast our fi rst 50 years. But only as motivation to produce even more remarkable Chateau Ste. Michelle wines, moments and memories in the next 50. Cheers. The best is yet to come. SMWE 12051 50thAnniv_TTP_TCR_R2.indd 1 2/17/17 2:52