Chateau Ste Michelle

Washington Wines

Washington state's oldest and most acclaimed winery is located in Eastern Washington, where the warm and sunny climate is ideal for growing world class wine grapes. Winemaker Bob Bertheau crafts Washington wines that are expressions of some of the best vineyards in the state including our Cold Creek, Canoe Ridge Estate and Horse Heaven vineyards. The winery’s roots date back to after the Repeal of Prohibition, when the Pommerelle Wine Company and the National Wine Company were formed in 1934. They merged in 1954 to form American Wine Growers and produced mostly fortified sweet wines. In 1967, American Wine Growers began a new line of premium vinifera wines called “Ste. Michelle Vintners” under the direction of legendary California winemaker and consultant Andre Tchelistcheff.

In 1976 Ste. Michelle Vintners built a French style Chateau in Woodinville, outside of Seattle, and changed its name to Chateau Ste. Michelle to reflect its new facility. The winery was built on the 1912 estate owned by Seattle lumber baron Frederick Stimson. The original Stimson family residence still stands on the winery grounds today and is on the National Register of Historical Places.

Canoe Ridge Estate
Canoe Ridge was formed 12 million years ago when a powerful river of lava flowed across the Columbia Valley. The ancient lava flows followed the Columbia River and left huge layers of basalt behind. Deep, free-draining soils sit on top of the basalt, deposited by great floods from the last Ice Age 13,000 years ago. The soils are a loose, sandy loam scattered with chunks of basalt. Young vines in search of water and nutrients easily establish deep root systems here.

Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay Columbia Valley Canoe Ridge Estate 2004
Sourced predominately from our vineyard at Canoe Ridge Estate, the 2004 Ethos shows the delicacy of Canoe Ridge Estate fruit, but with complexity from the natural fermentation. This Chard exhibits intriguing citrus, floral and mineral notes, which give way to an elegant, refined wine with an easy finish.” Bob Bertheau. Chardonnay from our vineyard at Canoe Ridge Estate made up over half of the blend, along with fruit from our Cold Creek Vineyard. Individual lots were managed separately, allowing Bob to identify the best lots for Ethos. Rated 96 Wine Spectator 

No alcohol shipment to Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming. Availability and Price Subject to change.