Columbia Winery
Location	Woodinville, Washington, USA
Appellation	Columbia Valley AVA
Formerly	Associated Vintners
Founded	1964[1]
Key people	Kerry Norton, Director of Winemaking; Erik Hoins, General Manager; Robert Takahashi, Assistant Winemaker
Parent company	Ascentia Wine Estates
Varietals	Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Sangiovese, Viognier, Chardonnay
Website	http://www.columbiawinery.com/
Distribution	National
Tasting	Open Daily

Columbia Winery is a Washington state winery located in Woodinville, Washington. The winery is currently owned by Ascentia Wine Estates. The winery was founded in 1964 as Associated Vinters by several former professors at the University of Washington. In 1979, the winery hired David Lake as head winemaker and under his stewardship, Columbia Winery was the first winery in the state of the Washington to produce varietal wines of Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris and Syrah.^[2] In 1983, the winery released wines under its current name. ^[3] In 1988, the winery moved to its current location in Woodinville wine country. Due to failing health, David Lake retired from Columbia in 2006. In 2006, Kerry Norton (formerly of Covey Run Winery was hired as Directory of Winemaking. In June 2008, Columbia Winery (along with Covey Run Winery and other Constellation Brands wines) were sold by Constellation Brands to newly formed Ascentia Wine Estates.^[4]

[edit] Vineyards

Columbia winery harvest grapes from several vineyards in Eastern Washington including

• Red Willow Vineyard-Yakima Valley AVA. At 1,300 feet (400 m) above sea level, this is the highest vineyard in the Yakima Valley.^[5] Planted with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Viognier.
• Otis Vineyard-Rattlesnake Hills AVA. First vineyard in Washington state planted with Pinot Gris, and home to the oldest currently producing Cabernet Sauvignon vines. ^[6]
• Wyckoff Vineyards-Rattlesnake Hills AVA. Planted with Chardonnay.

[edit] See also

• Washington wine

[edit] References