Essential Wines and Wineries of the Pacific Northwest: A Guide to the Wine Countries of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and Idaho

by Cole Danehower, Andrea Johnson

Superbly balanced pinot noirs; crisp rieslings; rich, heady these are only a fraction of the expertly crafted wines being produced in the Pacific Northwest's diverse and distinctive wine countries. Second only to California in production, the Pacific Northwest is the largest wine region in North America, home to more than 1,000 wineries. What was once a young wine-growing area with a reputation for eccentricity is today recognized as a dynamic region producing world-class wines, with a focus on ecologically sound practices.

This definitive volume profiles the wines, the people who make them, and the wine countries of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and Idaho. The journey begins with the region's climates and geology, which create a fascinating tapestry of wine-growing areas. Next, the book focuses on the unique qualities of each wine region, with profiles of more than 160 representative wineries to visit. Included are legacy wineries that helped to build the region’s reputation, prestige wineries with a national presence, under-the-radar artisan wineries that embody the pioneering spirit of the Northwest, and promising new wineries. Each profile lists the winery's signature, premium, value, and estate wines.

Beautifully illustrated with photographs and helpful maps, this in-depth guide is a milestone in the North American literature on wine. It will enable wine lovers everywhere to plan their touring, select their wines, and explore and discover the riches of the Northwest's wine country.

Genres: Nonfiction

308 pages, Paperback

First published August 11, 2010

Reviews

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely bedside read, with just enough info about wine generally to make it much more than simply a book about "here is a list of wineries" Not super current, and the business is changing up here so fast, but not really a big problem. Well worth the time, if you can tolerate the encouragement to travel all over the northwest, taste wine, and then buy it... (So, how about the Willamette in a couple weeks maybe? you know you I mean...)

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a little dated because the wine regions are changing so quickly, but the information is very well organized to help readers understand the characteristics of each AVA and varietal. We had our pourer or the winemaker sign our book at each stop!