Chateau Ste. Michelle is perhaps best known as the leading North American Riesling producer. We have championed Riesling for more than 40 years, and were among the first to plant Riesling in Washington state. Ste. Michelle catapulted into the national spotlight when the 1972 Johannisberg Riesling won the now-famous Riesling blind tasting sponsored by the Los Angeles Times in 1974.
Today, Chateau Ste. Michelle offers up to eight different Rieslings, each showcasing the versatility of Riesling and the regional styles within Washington’s Columbia Valley, which produces more Riesling than any other American wine region. Our award-winning Riesling portfolio ranges from the number one selling American Riesling, the Columbia Valley Riesling, to the ultra-premium Eroica Riesling made in partnership with Ernst Loosen, owner of the Dr. Loosen Estate and their 200-year tradition of producing Riesling in Germany’s Mosel region. “Eroica may well be the best dry Riesling made in the United States…This is truly a world-class wine, capable of holding its own with top renditions from Alsace and Germany.” -The Washington Times
This partnership harnesses Ernst Loosen’s German perspective and vast knowledge, along with Chateau Ste. Michelle’s leadership and history with Washington state Riesling. Although Riesling is synonymous with the growing regions of Germany, Alsace and Austria, it finds an idyllic home in Washington state. The success of our Rieslings is credited to the quality of fruit from Columbia Valley vineyards. Riesling grapes benefit from the warm days and cool nights during the growing season in the Columbia Valley. Warm, sunny days fully ripen the grapes and bring out the variety’s incredible aromatics, while cool evenings preserve the crisp acids essential to quality Riesling fruit.