152
Signature Wines and Wineries of Washington
used French oak before ultimately assimilating in a 500-gallon
French oak tank. The winemaking team likens its style to a small
backstage jam session with B.B. King, Ray Charles, Lady Gaga,
and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Winemaker Rob Newsom is known for
his rich Cabernet Sauvignons, and Marie's View is no different.
On the lighter side, the Christina Chardonnay is a tribute to
the personality of Marie Christina Den Hoed: graceful and
balanced. Proost, a sparkling wine, whose name comes from
the common form of "cheers" in Dutch, is a zero-dosage Blanc
de Blancs produced from Chardonnay grapes in the Méthode
Champenoise style. The Rosé is light and refreshing, and is made
with estate Cinsaut grapes; a variety known for possessing high
fruit character and low tannins.
Each year, the winery participates in a variety of local events
and treats wine club members to the annual Koning Club event
TOP: An expansive view of the incomparable Wallula Vineyard in the Horse
Heaven Hills with elevations from 320 feet to 1367 feet above sea level.
Photograph by Andrea Johnson
BELOW LEFT: Wine club members celebrating good wine, exquisite
vineyards and great friends.
Photograph by Ron Stephens
BELOW RIGHT: Rust on the Rails jamming at the annual Koning Club event
at Wallula Vineyard.
Photograph by Ron Stephens
at Wallula Vineyard in September. The Spring Release at the
Prosser River Ranch in the heart of Washington wine country
is a must for wine club members, and the SoDo tasting room
is open to the public. If you want a peek at behind-the-scenes
processes at the vineyard, private tours are offered exclusively
to Koning Club Members.
