Royal City winery receives national recognition
Grapes fresh off the vine are later used in Gard Vintners’ wines, which were scores favorably by the magazine Wine Spectator.
ROYAL CITY - Wine Spectator, a national publication for wine enthusiasts, recently awarded high scores to several wines from Royal City winery Gard Vintners.
The monthly magazine scored the winery's 2010 Riesling Ice Wine, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon and its 2009 Don Isidro red blend. The Ice Wine received a score of 95, the Cabernet received a score of 92 and the Don Isidro received a score of 91.
According to the wine scoring scale used by the magazine, scores between 90 and 94 out of a 100 indicate an outstanding wine of superior character.
A score of 95 to 100 out of 100 indicates a classic wine.
The 2010 Ice Wine was also featured in the "Hot Wines" section of the magazine's October electronic newsletter. The section is a compilation of the magazine editor's recent wine discoveries.
The 2009 Don Isidro also landed a spot on the magazine's "Savvy Shopper" list of value wines.
Josh Lawrence, of Gard Vintners, said only nine wineries in Washington state received scores of more than 95 from the magazine.
Gard Vintners' wines come from Lawrence Vineyards, on the Royal Slope. The Lawrence family has farmed the Columbia Valley for more than 45 years.
Lawrence said they began planting the vineyard in 2003, and the winery's first vintage was in 2006. He said he was excited that the wines were given national recognition, especially since the vineyard just began producing wines.
"It's the best scores we've received so far," Lawrence said.
He said he hopes the most recent harvest of 2012 vintages will receive similar recognition.
"We're excited, and we're always trying to do better," Lawrence said.
Gard Vintners has wine tasting rooms in Ellensburg and Woodinville. Wine can also be purchased online at www.gardvintners.com.