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Barnard Griffin Barrel Press Red Blend Washington 

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the producer’s website)

Varietal Merlot/Cab Sauv/Zin/Malbec

Location Columbia Valley, AVA

Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar through 2029

Tasting notes:

Lush, velvety, and unmistakably Washington, this red blend opens with ripe blackberry, black cherry, and plum layered alongside cocoa, vanilla, baking spice, and a touch of smoky oak. Merlot gives the wine its plush texture, Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure and dark fruit depth, while Zinfandel and Malbec bring warmth, spice, and a juicy finish. Full-bodied but approachable, it balances richness with enough freshness to keep each sip lively and inviting.

Food pairings!

Rich, smooth, and full of dark fruit, this Washington red blend is built for comfort food and hearty meals. The combination of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Malbec brings together ripe blackberry and plum flavors with hints of spice, cocoa, and smoky oak, making it an easy match for grilled burgers, barbecue ribs, steak, meatloaf, or slow-braised beef dishes. It also shines alongside sharp cheddar, gouda, mushroom dishes, and rosemary roasted vegetables, while the touch of Zinfandel spice makes it especially good with smoky sauces and anything coming off the grill. Cozy, generous, and crowd-pleasing, this is the kind of red that disappears quickly around a busy dinner table.

From Them to You!

Founded in 1983 by winemaking pioneers Rob Griffin and Deborah Barnard, Barnard Griffin Winery is one of Washington State’s longest-running and most respected family-owned wineries. Based in Richland in the heart of wine country, the winery helped shape the early identity of Washington wine through a focus on approachable, fruit-driven wines that overdeliver for the price. Rob Griffin is widely regarded as one of the state’s foundational winemakers, known for balancing Old World structure with the ripe fruit character of Washington vineyards.

Today, Barnard Griffin remains deeply rooted in the Columbia Valley, producing a broad range of wines that emphasize balance, consistency, and food friendliness. Their wines are known for generous fruit, smooth textures, and an easygoing style that makes them both approachable and reliable favorites at the dinner table.

SINGLE BARREL WINE GRENACHE ROYAL SLOPE 2022 GRENACHE WASHINGTON

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the producer’s website)

Varietal Grenache

Location Royal Slope, AVA

Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar through 2032

Tasting notes:

Bright, expressive, and beautifully lifted, this Washington Grenache opens with layers of wild strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, and pomegranate alongside hints of white pepper, dried herbs, crushed stone, and warm baking spice. The Royal Slope fruit brings both ripeness and freshness, giving the wine a silky texture, lively acidity, and a long, savory finish. Elegant rather than heavy, it captures the more graceful side of Grenache — juicy, aromatic, and endlessly drinkable while still carrying enough depth to keep things interesting from first sip to last.

Food pairings!

Grenache’s bright red fruit, savory spice, and silky texture make it one of the most versatile food wines on the table. This bottling pairs beautifully with grilled lamb, herb-marinated chicken, pork tenderloin, or smoky sausages, where the wine’s juicy fruit and peppery notes shine. It is equally at home alongside Mediterranean dishes like roasted vegetables, olive tapenade, ratatouille, or tomato-based pastas, while its freshness and lighter body make it especially good slightly chilled with charcuterie, wood-fired pizza, or anything coming off the grill on a warm evening. Earthy herbs, smoky flavors, and dishes with a little spice all bring out the wine’s lively, Rhône-inspired personality.

From Them to You!

Single Barrel Wine is a small Washington winery focused on site-driven wines that highlight the individuality of both vineyard and vintage. Founded by winemaker and former sommelier Tyler Vandenberg, the project emphasizes minimal-intervention winemaking, careful vineyard sourcing, and small-lot production designed to showcase purity, balance, and texture rather than heavy extraction or excessive oak. The winery works with some of Washington’s most exciting vineyard sites, particularly in emerging regions like the Royal Slope, where Rhône varieties such as Grenache thrive in the warm days, cool nights, and mineral-rich soils of the Columbia Valley.

The wines are known for being energetic, food-friendly, and expressive of place, often leaning toward a more restrained and elegant style that balances Washington ripeness with freshness and lift. Rather than chasing power, Single Barrel Wine focuses on transparency and drinkability — wines that feel thoughtful, nuanced, and distinctly tied to the vineyards they come from.