Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/611718
8 / the tasting panel / december 2015 Upchurch Vineyard As founding winemaker and partner of DeLille Cellars, Chris Upchurch has crafted some of the finest and most award-winning wines in Washington State for well over two decades. He and his wife, Thea, planted their own vineyard in 2007, with the goal of making a single wine from one plot, made by one family. Upchurch Vineyard is an 18.5 acre site, situated on a small plateau at the southern tip of the famed Red Mountain AVA. Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is 91% Cabernet and 9% Merlot, with intense floral notes that seem to be a signature of this wine. Aromas of lavender, currants, eucalyptus and cherry blossoms permeate the powerful dark fruits. Always present is Red Mountain's great structure, good lift, and a seamless and savory finish. "At Upchurch, we hope to create a culture of excel- lence that expresses the authenticity of the plot and the passion of those who are involved. All to produce a Washington State first growth from our single parcel in Red Mountain." DeLille Cellars When Charles and Greg Lill, Jay Soloff and winemaker Chris Upchurch founded DeLille Cellars in Woodinville, Washington, in 1992, the mission was simple: to create a Bordeaux-style blend using Washington State fruit, which had mainly been used for single- varietal wines until that point. Washington State's prestigious Red Mountain AVA is the foundation of the DeLille Cellars portfolio. The winery sources grapes from its own 20-acre vineyard as well as fruit from other top sites in the Yakima Valley AVA (within which Red Mountain is wholly contained). DeLille Cellars' pioneering D2, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and Chaleur Estate Blanc, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon, have become prominent wines. "At DeLille, we believe that blending in the traditional style creates wines in which each varietal contributes its own attributes and creates classically structured wines that showcase the purity of fruit that defines Washington State terroir," says Upchurch. These are truly "first growth" wine from some of Washington State's oldest vineyards. Panther Creek Cellars Oregon Pinot Noir heavyweight Ken Wright founded Panther Creek Cellars in 1986, establishing his reputation for making collector-worthy Pinots. In 2013, Panther Creek hired legendary winemaker Tony Rynders—a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay specialist— as consulting winemaker. Panther Creek grapes come from Oregon's lead- ing AVAs, specifically the Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, and Yamhill Carlton. The winery maintains partnerships with some of the state's most noted vineyards: Fir Crest, French Creek, Kalita, Carter, Lazy River, De Ponte, and Schindler. Today, in addition to offering a selection of cov- eted library wines, Panther Creek Cellars produces Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and a range of exceptional Pinot Noirs, including several beautifully articulate vineyard-designates. "None of these brands were created by Bacchus," Bronfman explains. "We just tried to find some really cool, iconic brands that had some unique aspects about them which we felt, with a little bit of a louder voice, could make a big dent in the marketplace. And so far we've been successful and lucky." Sam and Steve, and a team of industry pros, have helped place Wineworks' portfolio wines in an impres- sive growth pattern. With a personable approach to marketing, Wineworks boasts a portfolio that stands up dramatically well compared to their competitors. Interestingly, Bacchus's portfolio does not include every varietal that their portfolio wineries produce; it does not even come close. The Bacchus strategy with distributors is extremely streamlined. With focused expectations of what their distributors should sell, Bacchus Wineworks aptly prioritizes the sales of selected, individual wines. Bronfman's 30-plus years of experience in the beverage industry gives him direct access to a great number of distributors, which is powerful in gaining national impetus for the Bacchus assortment. What makes Bacchus Wineworks truly unique is their platform. The company was created as a reaction to truly special wines, not the other way around. Giving these iconic brands a loud and clear voice, Bacchus Wineworks is making a substantial impact in the marketplace. UP first growth from our single parcel in Red Mountain." DeLille Cellars When Charles and Greg Lill, Jay Soloff and winemaker Chris Upchurch founded DeLille Cellars in Woodinville, Washington, in 1992, the mission was simple: to create a Bordeaux-style blend using Washington State fruit, which had mainly been used for single- varietal wines until that point. Washington State's prestigious Red Mountain AVA is the foundation of the DeLille Cellars portfolio. The winery sources grapes from its own 20-acre vineyard as well as fruit from other top sites in the Yakima Valley AVA (within which Red Mountain is wholly contained). DeLille Cellars' pioneering D2, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and Chaleur Estate Blanc, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon, have become prominent wines. "At DeLille, we believe that blending in the traditional style creates wines in which each varietal Tony Rynders, Consulting Winemaker, Panther Creek Cellars. Chris Upchurch, co-founder and Executive Winemaker, DeLille Cellars and Upchurch Vineyard. PHOTO COURTESY OF BACCHUS WINEWORKS. PHOTO COURTESY OF BACCHUS WINEWORKS.