Washington Zinfandel

I visit Woodinville a few times a month to check out the wineries and taste new releases I love how Washington’s wine industry is growing; it seems there are new wineries popping up all the time. Given my frequent visiting, I was sure I had visited almost every tasting room, but I was wrong! 

Recently, a fellow wine enthusiast told me to check out Forgeron Cellar, a Walla Walla-based winery with a tasting room in Woodinville. So I headed to the Hollywood District, just past the main hustle and bustle, and found their tasting room in a converted home. Situated away from the road, the tasting room has great outdoor seating for summer and a simple, stylish interior for rainy winter days. A large sign displaying their motto welcomes you: “Washington Grapes, French Roots”.

We stepped in and the friendly, educated staff quickly welcomed us.  The woman pouring for us started as a club member who loved the wine so much that she decided to work for Forgeron.  Her wine descriptions and explanations demonstrate that she’s knowledgeable but also genuinely loves Forgeron wines.  The atmosphere felt more like sitting around with friends, not a tasting room. We were guided thru the current line up and every wine was consistently good quality.  So many times when wine tasting, one wine is lacking, but not here. Both reds and whites are excellent, all being balanced and showing off the French style of winemaking right here at home in Washington.  

I was shocked and awed when I realized Forgeron Cellars produces a zinfandel! Zinfandel is a favorite grape of mine and hardly seen in the Washington Wine community. When you think of zinfandel you probably think big, jammy, Californian wines. Forgeron’s zinfandel is delicious - lush, velvety, silky, and savory. The nose ranges from tobacco to bacon to licorice; in the mouth there are essences of caramel, spice, fig, mocha, and a bit of smoke.  The finish is luscious and long lasting.  At just $35 this is a Washington wine gem. 

Since my first visit to Forgeron Cellars in Woodinville I have been back a few more times, and each time they have something different to taste. I highly recommend that you visit Forgeron this summer and enjoy their wines outside in the sun on their patio while admiring their newly painted mural.

More about the mural and the Artist Series soon.

If your summer travels take you East of the Cascades, consider visiting Forgeron Cellars winery and main tasting room in Walla Walla.  Located in a turn-of-the-Century blacksmith shop, you’ll get a deeper look at their “Washington Grapes and French Roots!”

Also if you don’t know by now my cat is named Zinfandel so he has to have his photo with every Zinfandel bottle!