The WineFor over a decade now, this wine provides an ideal example of the quality coming out of Washington state. A blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the wine’s years of bottle age have been kind. The wine is nearing its pinnacle now, and I expect it will continue to delight for another three to five years.
Until that time, you’re going to want more of this. I know I do.
The Winery
Cote Bonneville is the winery making estate wines from the DuBrul vineyard. The vineyard is among the top in Washington State, honored as vineyard of the year multiple times. Planted in 1992 by Hugh and Kathy Shiels, the grapes are sold to a number of top producers who craft CuBrul vineyard-designated wines.
The Shiels, intent on controlling the winemaking process so they could showcase their grapes at their highest expression, started production in 2001. In 2005, their daughter, Kerry, left an engineering career to earn a masters at UC Davis, then traveled to far-away wineries to learn from the best. In 2009 she returned home to take on winemaking duties for Cote Bonneville.
Now their wines are poured in a tasting room that is a converted train station in downtown Sunnyside. Plan to stop in the next time you visit Yakima Valley, Washington!
