The Absolute Best Washington Wines

Washington is usually not the first state to come to mind when ranking the best wines in the United States. Ask the average American which regions of the country they associate with wine, and you’ll probably hear a few mentions of Napa Valley and the San Ynez Valley in California.

Times, however, are changing, and savvy wine drinkers worldwide are quickly coming to appreciate the complex wines crafted from grapes sourced from any of the state’s 20 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Across all of these appellations, you’ll find seventy distinct wine varietals, but a few in particular produce some of Washington’s best wines.

Let’s take some time to talk about them.

1.Cabernet Sauvignon

People everywhere love Cabs. Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most popular red wine grape and the key ingredient behind some of the best red wines in Washington state.

Cabs are king in Washington. In 2022, growers harvested 67,015 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon statewide—28 percent of the total grapes grown in the state and the most popular varietal. But, considering the incredible popularity of Cabs worldwide raises the question: What makes them one of Washington’s best wines?

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon is pleasantly quirky, with big, bright, fruity flavors that leave a tingle on your tongue when they make contact. Washington’s Columbia Valley is a hotspot for Cab cultivation, and the uniqueness of cabs produced in the state can be traced back to the conditions within the Columbia Valley. Warm sunny days, cool nights, sandy soil, and a relative lack of rainfall make for vibrant grapes.

Take a sip of Lone Point Cellars’ 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, and you’ll soon understand what we’re talking about when we say it’s considered one of Washington’s best wines. Our Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are sourced from the Red Mountain AVA, which is widely regarded as one of the top-growing regions in the country. You’ll get notes of vanilla and spice, and you can’t miss the bold fruitiness for which Washington Cabs are famous.

2.Rosé

Washington State is gaining recognition for its production of high-quality Rosé wines. The state's diverse climate and soil conditions allow winemakers to experiment with different grape varieties, resulting in a wide range of Rosé styles.  

While many types of grapes can be used, popular choices for Washington Rosé include Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Sangiovese. Some winemakers also experiment with less common varieties like Counoise and Carignan.

Washington Rosé wines come in a spectrum of styles, from light and crisp to more full-bodied and complex. Some are made in a dry style, while others have a hint of sweetness. While many types of grapes can be used, popular choices for Washington Rosé include Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Sangiovese. Some winemakers also experiment with less common varieties like Counoise and Carignan. Many wineries throughout Washington State produce Rosé, particularly in regions like the Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, and Yakima Valley. Look for them at wineries, wine shops, and restaurants across the state.

3.Malbec

Malbec isn’t necessarily the grape growers throughout the Columbia Valley turn to when picking out a new varietal—in 2022, growers harvested about 4,000 tons of it across the state—but it still makes some of the best wines in Washington. Wine drinkers who prefer Malbecs also tend to love foods like tamales, chili, and curry, and there’s a pretty simple explanation for that pattern: All of them are a bit spicy.

Now, Malbec won’t incinerate your tongue and leave you running to the refrigerator for a glass of milk to cool yourself down. But it has a nice spiciness, and that spice can take a tamale bought from a roadside stand and turn it into a feast. It’s one of the reasons why Malbec is the grape behind some of Washington’s best wines.

Malbec hails from Argentina, and both Argentina and Washington are well-irrigated and located at high elevations. So it’s no surprise that Washington’s growers are becoming Malbec fans. We certainly are at Lone Point Cellars. Our 2020 Malbec packs the intensity we mentioned before and pairs it wonderfully with Huckleberry, Anise, and Vanilla notes. It’s gaining a reputation as one of the best red wines in Washington.

4.Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is amid a meteoric rise in prominence in Washington, asserting itself as one of the state’s best wine varietals.

In 2022, the harvested tonnage of Sauvignon Blanc in Washington grew 54 percent, from 8,320 to 12,800 tons. People just can’t get enough of the notes of citrus and melon that ring out every time this refreshing wine hits the tongue. It has the crispness of a Riesling with a well-formed body.

Lone Point Cellars is no stranger to the Sauvignon Blanc bandwagon ourselves. Our 2023 Sauvignon Blanc showcases why the wine is widely considered one of Washington’s best, with its bursts of green fruit flavors and acidity that can make your tastebuds sing.

5.Petit Verdot

Last but not least is Petit Verdot. It doesn’t have the name recognition of a Cabernet Sauvignon, but Petit Verdot is behind some of the best red wines in Washington state.

Growers harvested only 1,110 tons of Petit Verdot the last time Washington took a statewide account of grape growing. But don’t let those numbers fool you. Petit Verdot is an extraordinary wine with big, bold flavors and aromas of Violet, Plum, and other fruits that are unmistakable from the moment you open a bottle. It’s no wonder Petit Verdots are among the best Washington wines.

Yet again, here at Lone Point Cellars, we have the perfect example of the wine’s beauty. Our 2020 Petit Verdot is full-bodied with notes of dark fruits and spices.

Try Some Of Washington’s Top Wines Out Yourself

You don’t have to travel to the great Pacific Northwest to try great Washington wines (though we would be happy to host you if you do so!). Explore Lone Point Cellars’ collection of wines today.