Washington State Gewürztraminer Wine Index
"In Vino Veritas" (Truth in Vine)
Updated 04/06/2007
The Gewürztraminer grape, or Traminer, as it was known before 1947, may have been introduced into Washington State as early as 1859, by A. B. Roberts who planted over 80 different French grape varieties in the Walla Walla Valley. But the severe winter of 1883 devastated the fledging industry which didn't arise until nearly 100 years later. Not that grapes weren't grown, several wineries were established after Prohibition ended, and wine was certainly made in limited quantities for local or family consumption.
Through contact with Washington State's Associated Vintners company, noted wine consultant André Tchelistcheff, of Napa Valley fame, tasted a three-year old Gewürztraminer wine produced by the American Wine Growers (AWG) company in 1966. His interest contributed to both AWG releasing their first vintage under the Chateau Ste. Michelle label in 1967. Likewise, so did Associated Vintners release under their label in 1967, later to become in 1983 the Columbia Winery. American Wine Growers evolved out of the merger of the Nawico of Grandview and Pommerelle of Seattle merger in 1934.
The source of the above information doesn't specifically say that the first released vintages by either company were Gewürztraminer wines, but the mention of 1963/64 vintage by Mr. Tchelistcheff leads one to conclude that a Gewürztraminer may have been released in 1967. Gewürztraminer or a wine known by some variation of the name Traminer may very well have been produced and sold well before that year.
Source: Wines of the Pacific Northwest - a contemporary guide to the wines of Washington & Oregon, by Lisa Shara Hall, 2001.
WASHINGTON
WINEMAKING PIONEER DIES
Howard Somers, a pioneer winemaker for Washington's first bonded winery and
later the first winemaker for Ste. Michelle, passed away Jan. 15 at the age of
86.
Howard's father, Charles Somers, launched St. Charles Winery in 1933 just as
Prohibition was repealed, making it the first bonded winery in Washington. The
winery, on Stretch Island near Shelton, operated until about 1965, according to
"The Wine Project," a book by Ron Irvine on Washington's winemaking
history. The winery now is a museum.
After the family sold the winery, Howard became an enologist for the National
Wine Co., which later became Chateau Ste. Michelle. Howard and famous Napa
winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff made the company's first vinifera wines under
the Ste. Michelle label in 1967. That first vintage produced Semillon, Pinot
Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache from Eastern Washington grapes. In 1969,
the San Francisco Sampling Club wrote in its newsletter that these wines showed
Washington could challenge the best from California, according to "The Wine
Project."
Howard retired from the wine business in the late '80s, moved to Bainbridge
Island and worked in real estate.
Though his place in Washington's wine history has faded with time, Howard
Somers' efforts in the 1960s and '70s were a vital piece in the development of
Washington wine.
For more on Stretch Island, St. Charles Winery and the early history of Western
Washington wineries, read Nick Tomassi's feature, "The Belle of
Washington," at:
http://www.winepressnw.com/feature/story/6072672p-5963618c.html
If you have additions/corrections/comments to the information, please contact me with your information Thank you, Mike Reilly
| Growing Region | Producer | Town/City, Washington | #Acres Gewürztraminer Grown 2000 | Approx. 1st Gewürztraminer Year Release |
| Greater Seattle Area | Chateau Ste. Michelle Vineyards & Estates | Woodinville | ? | 1967 |
| Columbia Valley | Woodinville | 23 | 1967 | |
| SilverLake Winery | Woodinville | 3 | 1989 | |
| Puget Sound | FairWinds Winery | Port Townsend | ? | 1996 |
| Yakima Valley | Apex Cellars (Washington Hills Cellar brand) | Sunnyside | ? | 1988 |
| Covey Run Vintners | Zillah | 20 | 1982 | |
| Hogue Cellars | Prosser | ? | 1982 | |
| Tucker Cellars Winery | Sunnyside | 8 | 1981 | |
| Washington Hills Cellars | Sunnyside | ? | 1981 | |
| Tri-Cities | Columbia Crest Winery | Paterson | 43 | 1985 |
| Gordon Brothers Wines | Pasco | 1 | 1983 | |
| Preston Premium Wines | Pasco | 6 | 1987 | |
| Tagaris Winery | Pasco | 10 | 1987 | |
| Walla Walla Valley | Three Rivers Winery | Walla Walla | 6 | 1999 |
Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer 1999
Columbia-Crest Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer 1999. Light, clean and intense with varietal character, this Washington Gewürz is almost dry, and displays lychee and peach fruit over light spice. Wonderful as an aperitif or with spicy Asian dishes. Value priced at $7.00; Acclaim: Good Value -- winetoday.com -- November 20, 2000
Columbia-Crest Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer 1998 Gewurztraminer is a full-bodied, spicy, and floral wine that is easy to recognize but hard to grow—unless you have the combination of sunny days and cool nights we have in the Columbia Valley. We gave the 1998 harvest a cool fermentation to showcase the fruit character and bring out the varietal’s traditional spiciness. The wine’s refreshing acidity and exotic lychee nut flavors make it a great partner with Asian cuisines.
Columbia-Crest Gewürztraminer 1997, Columbia Valley, 11.5% alc., SENMF $7.99 11/19/04; Tasted 112004, Deep golden color, looked promising, but beyond it's peak. Slight vinegary undertone, still very drinkable, though no rich lingering taste or aroma. Liquor store had more in stock but I won't bother. MRR
Columbia-Crest Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer 1995, $5.99
Columbia Winery Gewurztraminer 1999, Columbia Valley, 11.5% alc., vinted and bottled by Columbia Winery, Woodville WA.; in German clear, not brown bottle, ERIMAU $7.99 120404
Hogue Columbia Valley Washington Gewürztraminer 1999 ,
The Hogue Cellars Columbia Valley Gewürztraminer 1995, $5.99
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