2010 Avennia Arnaut Boushey Vineyard Syrah

Avennia was started in 2009 when Marty Taucher, an Oregon native and early Microsoft executive, teamed up with winemaker Chris Peterson, who had made wine at DeLille Cellars, among other places. The partners sourced 16 tons of fruit in 2010 which became their debut vintage. Their aim is to acquire fruit from Washington’s best vineyards and create Bordeaux and Rhone-style wines. Avennia makes primarily red wines, along with some Sauvignon Blanc and rosé. Reviewers have been complimentary. “I continue to consider Chris Peterson’s Avennia estate to be one of the best in Washington State and he’s been making world-class wines for a number of years now,” wrote Jeb Dunnuck. “…these are brilliant wines readers need to seek out.”

Yakima Valley AVA was the first AVA created in Washington State. The valley, a 600,000-acre area in south central Washington, was granted AVA status in 1983. In 1984 Columbia Valley was given AVA status, and Yakima Valley was enclosed within the Columbia Valley AVA. Nevertheless, Yakima Valley remains home to the largest concentration of vineyards and wineries in the state. There are more than 60 wineries and some 16,000 vineyard acres, and nearly 40% of Washington wines are made with Yakima Valley grapes. The most frequently planted grape is Chardonnay, followed by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaking here dates to 1869, when a winemaker from Alsace planted grape vines. Vineyard planting and wine production plodded along slowly until the early 1980s when numerous modern pioneers started making well-reviewed Yakima Valley wines. Some of the state’s newest, most closely watched appellations, including Red Mountain AVA and Horse Heaven Hills AVA, are contained within Yakima Valley.

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.