Chateau Ste. Michelle named Wine & Spirits magazine “Top 100 Wineries of the Year” award for the 22nd time, the most of any producer in the United States

Woodinville, Wash.

The magazine article highlighted Chateau Ste. Michelle's impressive wine quality and consistency, particularly with Riesling.

“Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State’s oldest and largest winery, has earned 22 Top 100 awards, the most of any producer in the United States. But its most impressive achievement may be in its extensive work with riesling. …Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of the driving forces behind riesling’s global renaissance and is, in fact, the world’s largest riesling producer. Most of this volume consists of affordable, reliable appellation wines – dry and off-dry versions. The team saves their best for Eroica, a partnership with Mosel superstar Ernst Loosen that began in 1999 and has become the hallmark of their production.

…Each year, Ste. Michelle and Eroica set up a late-harvest riesling program on a scale that few wineries can match. Loosen and Ste. Michelle winemaker Bob Bertheau let as much as ten acres of riesling hang late into the season, of their Horse Heaven Hills vineyard, waiting for botrytis... The result, in certain seasons is spectacular, like the wine from 2008 (a miniscule 21 cases of half-bottles were made in the vintage.) It’s an irrepressibly immense, wildly powerful late-harvest wine seemingly crammed with flavor and an electric, mouthwatering jolt of acidity, a thrill-ride of weight and momentum. …Meanwhile the original Eroica continues to set the standard for dry American riesling. And this year we were astonished by the crisp, pure flavors of Chateau Ste. Michelle 2014 Dry Riesling, priced at $9. It’s one of our 100 Best Buys of the Year.”

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates president and CEO Ted Baseler credits talented winemakers and decades of vineyard research and cellar innovation for the recognition of Chateau Ste. Michelle’s consistent quality. “To be named Wine & Spirits most awarded American winery is truly an honor,” says Ted Baseler. “It is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our winemaking team as well as our ongoing investment in our vineyards and cellars.”

About Chateau Ste. Michelle
Founded in 1934, Chateau Ste. Michelle pioneered vinifera grape growing in Washington state and has been producing classic European varietal wines under the Ste. Michelle label since 1967. The winery combines an ongoing dedication to research with a commitment to classic winemaking traditions. The winery owns 3,500 acres of vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Eastern Washington, including Canoe Ridge Estate and Cold Creek, which are LIVE and Salmon Safe certified. Chateau Ste. Michelle enjoys winemaking partnerships with two of the world’s most distinguished vintners. Col Solare is an alliance with Tuscany’s Piero Antinori and Eroica Riesling is a partnership with the Mosel’s Ernst Loosen.

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For further information:
Lynda Eller
media@ste-michelle.com