Somm Survival Kit details:
WASHINGTON Wines of Place
November-December 2020

Hi everyone –

Thanks so much for grabbing the Washington Somm Survival Kit! This is a great array of wines, designed to show off the range of styles and sub-regions the state has to offer. Be sure to watch the video, for we cover a TON of info.

Very important: grab a good wine map of Washington to print and look at while you watch the video.

Grab your Washington State wine map here
Download your Washington Somm Kit cellar tags here

Your wines are (along with the timing in the video for when we discuss them):

  • Airfield Estate Chardonnay, Yakima Valley (7:19)
  • L’Ecole No. 41 Chenin Blanc, Yakima Valley – but a Walla Walla winery (12:19)
  • Two Mountain Riesling, Rattlesnake Hills (18:03)
  • Jones of Washington Merlot, Wahluke Slope (27:14)
  • Alexandra Nicole Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills (34:35)
  • Kinoa Cabernet, Red Mountain (42:47)

Here is your video of us stepping through all of the wines:

More links that you’ll find useful:

2020 has been a tough year for so many of us, and even for the Washington wine industry. The article For Washington Wineries, 2020 Was a Year to Pivot covers much of this, including a devastating frost in late 2019, and the current glut of grapes on the market.

“Dr. Terroir,” Kevin Pogue, is a soil scientist at Whitman College in Walla Walla. Here’s a video of him describing the formation of terroir in the Pacific Northwest. Super worthwhile!

The history of the Washington wine industry is a great read.

The story of Airfield Estates is really awesome, and they have a good video on their website with the story.

… as is the history of L’Ecole No. 41 (a must-visit when in Walla Walla, along with their neighbor Woodward Canyon).

Rattlesnake Hills is where the Two Mountain Riesling comes from, though it’s labeled simply as Washington State. Under 1000 case total production on that wine. A super gem.

The Wahluke Slope is a region that is pretty hard to find on most wine shelves. There are only two wineries in the region itself, though many wineries get fruit from this young area (first planted 15 years ago).

Horse Heaven Hills became one of the most prominent AVA’s of Washington when the first 100 point wines of the state were made there by Quilceda Creek.

One of my favorite wine regions in North America is the very small (and totally planted … no room left for more vines!) Red Mountain AVA, where the Kiona Cabernet is from.

VinMaps.com does an incredible Red Mountain AVA map if you are interested.

Keep in touch and thank you again! Enjoy your Somm Survival Kit!

Jason and Angela Kallsen