The Best Washington State Sangioveses

The September issue of Seattle: The Premier Seattle Monthly reports their guide of the Best Washington State Sangioveses of 2008 - - and four out of the five Sangioveses listed, four are produced in the Walla Walla Valley Appellation:

1. Yellow Hawk Cellars – Walla Walla
2. Mannina Cellars – Walla Walla
3. Trio Vintners – Walla Walla
4. Walter Dacon – Shelton
5. Stella Fino – Milton-Freewater, OR (WA/OR Border - fruit sourced from Walla Walla Valley Appellation)

The article points out that some of the first wines in Washington State were made by Italian immigrants. And what the article didn't point out that Walla Walla, where the majority of their picks come from, definitely has deep Italian roots since the late 1850’s. And by the end of 1915, over 120 Italian families established their produce “truck” gardens in the Walla Walla Valley, which many of their grandchildren continue to cultivate today. Sangiovese is the noble red grape of Tuscan wines and today there are over 200 acres of Sangiovese planted making it the sixth most grown grape in Washington. The other day I was asked which grape will Walla Walla be especially known for? Merlot? Syrah? Perhaps, one day it will be Sangiovese.

And - - it just so happens, besides at their wineries, Mannina Cellars Sangiovese and Trio Vintners Sangiovese can be purchased at: Walla Walla Wine Woman. Do I know how to pick great Sangiovese or what?