Carriage House 2013 DuBrul Vineyard, Yakima Valley Bordeaux Blend

For the past few decades, this wine is one of the iconic brands experts point to as an example of the high quality coming out of Washington state. A blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the wine’s years of bottle age have been kind. Always released after many years in the winery's cellar, the owners feel their wines need time before they're ready for release, and this is a prime example. The wine is at its pinnacle now, and I expect it will continue to delight for another three to five years.

Cote Bonneville is the wine making side of 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 DuBrul 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 and worked with 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 their popular tasting room - a converted train station in downtown Sunnyside. Plan to stop in the next time you visit Yakima Valley.