Château Ste. Michelle

Château Ste. Michelle's story begins immediately after the repeal of Prohibition, when the National Wine Company (NAWICO) was founded in Seattle in 1933. NAWICO merged with the Pomerelle Wine Company in 1954 to form American Wine Growers (AWG). Under the guidance of legendary Napa Valley consulting winemaker André Tchelistcheff, AWG launched the Ste. Michelle Vineyards brand in 1967 as Washington's first premium vinifera label, with commercial release following in 1969. A group of Seattle investors acquired the company in 1972 and rebranded it Ste. Michelle Vintners; UST (US Tobacco) then purchased it in 1974. The winery relocated from Seattle to Woodinville in 1976, constructing what became its iconic French-style château, and rebranded as Château Ste. Michelle.

• NAWICO founded in Seattle in 1933, the day Prohibition ended; merged with Pomerelle to form American Wine Growers in 1954
• Ste. Michelle Vineyards premium label launched in 1967 under AWG, with legendary Napa winemaker André Tchelistcheff consulting
• Company acquired by Seattle investors in 1972; rebranded Ste. Michelle Vintners; sold to UST in 1974, ending local ownership for 50-plus years
• French-style château built in Woodinville in 1976; winery rebranded Château Ste. Michelle and became the first winery in Woodinville

Château Ste. Michelle established the Columbia Valley as a serious premium wine region at a time when California dominated American wine discourse. The winery's pivotal moment came on October 13, 1974, when the Los Angeles Times announced that its 1972 Johannisberg Riesling had won a blind tasting against California and German competitors, judged by a panel that included Robert Mondavi and André Tchelistcheff. This victory propelled Washington wine into national and international conversation. The winery's sustained investment in Riesling production, international winemaking partnerships, and systematic vineyard development across Columbia Valley AVAs set the template for how a volume producer could simultaneously pursue premium quality, inspiring generations of Washington winemakers and establishing the region's global reputation.

• October 1974 Los Angeles Times blind tasting victory placed Washington Riesling above California and German competitors on a world stage
• Pioneered premium vinifera cultivation in Washington, establishing the Columbia Valley as a world-class Riesling region
• International partnerships with Antinori and Dr. Ernst Loosen elevated Washington's prestige and attracted global attention to the region
• Named Wine Enthusiast magazine's American Winery of the Year in 2004, recognizing decades of quality leadership

The Château Ste. Michelle portfolio spans multiple quality tiers, from the broadly distributed Columbia Valley varietal range to estate single-vineyard bottlings and partnership wines. The entry-level Columbia Valley Riesling is the number-one-selling American Riesling by volume and is available across all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Single-vineyard designations, including Cold Creek and Canoe Ridge Estate, signal premium positioning with greater site-specific complexity. The Eroica partnership with Dr. Ernst Loosen features collaborative branding and focuses on both a classic off-dry expression and extended-lees-contact dry Riesling. The winery also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah across its tiers.

• Columbia Valley Riesling: number-one-selling American Riesling by volume; available in all 50 states and 100-plus countries
• Single-vineyard tier (Cold Creek, Canoe Ridge Estate) indicates premium estate-sourced fruit with greater concentration and site character
• Eroica Riesling portfolio includes the classic off-dry expression, Eroica XLC (Extended Lees Contact dry Riesling), and Eroica Ice Wine
• Full varietal portfolio includes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah across Columbia Valley and sub-appellations

The winery's reputation was transformed by the October 1974 Los Angeles Times blind tasting, in which its 1972 Johannisberg Riesling defeated California and German entries before a distinguished panel. This event established Washington as a legitimate fine wine region. The Columbia Valley Riesling became the industry benchmark for accessible American Riesling, with the 2012 vintage alone yielding 1.2 million cases, a record for the world's largest single-winery Riesling producer. The Cold Creek Vineyard line, sourced from vines planted in 1973, has earned more than 60 scores of 90 points or above from major publications. The Eroica partnership, begun with the 1999 harvest, has earned 90-plus scores consistently, with recent vintages receiving 91 to 93 points from Wine Enthusiast.

• 1972 Johannisberg Riesling: won October 13, 1974 Los Angeles Times blind tasting against California and German competitors; pivotal moment for Washington wine credibility
• Columbia Valley Riesling: world's best-selling American Riesling; 2012 vintage reached 1.2 million cases, the largest single-vintage Riesling production by any winery
• Cold Creek Vineyard: vines planted 1973; more than 60 scores of 90 points and above; produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Riesling
• Eroica Riesling (from 1999 harvest): consistently rated 90-plus points; 2020 and 2022 vintages earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast

Château Ste. Michelle owns key estate vineyards across Columbia Valley's premium sub-appellations, with strategic placement matching varietals to specific terroirs. Cold Creek Vineyard, planted in 1973 in the Columbia Valley AVA, is farmed in silty loam soils with low water-holding capacity that produce moderate yields and concentrated grapes across Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Riesling. Canoe Ridge Estate sits in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, one of Washington's warmest growing areas, with a focus on red varieties. Indian Wells Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA provides additional fruit for the winery's white wine program. Columbia Valley's defining climate features long summer days, semi-arid conditions, and significant diurnal temperature swings that preserve natural acidity while allowing full fruit ripeness.

• Cold Creek Vineyard: planted 1973, Columbia Valley AVA; silty loam soils; produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Riesling; more than 60 scores of 90-plus points
• Canoe Ridge Estate: Horse Heaven Hills AVA; warm site producing structured red varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
• Indian Wells Vineyard: Columbia Valley AVA; warm-climate site contributing to the white wine program
• Columbia Valley climate: semi-arid, long sunny days, significant diurnal temperature variation; conditions ideal for preserving acidity while achieving full ripeness in both reds and whites

Château Ste. Michelle pioneered international winemaking collaborations in Washington. The Col Solare partnership with Marchese Piero Antinori of Tuscany was launched with the 1995 vintage, initially sourcing from Columbia Valley before the partners established a dedicated winery and estate vineyard atop Red Mountain. The collaboration ran for nearly 30 years before Antinori announced full ownership of Col Solare in 2024. The Eroica Riesling partnership with Dr. Ernst Loosen of the Mosel Valley began with the 1999 harvest and continues as a flagship expression of Washington Riesling. In December 2025, the Wyckoff family of Yakima Valley, Washington, acquired all of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates from private equity firm Sycamore Partners, returning the company to local ownership for the first time since 1974.

• Col Solare (1995 vintage through 2024): equal partnership with Marchesi Antinori; Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine from Red Mountain AVA; Antinori acquired full ownership in 2024
• Eroica Riesling (from 1999 harvest): collaboration with Dr. Ernst Loosen of the Mosel; Washington fruit crafted with German winemaking philosophy; consistently 90-plus-point ratings
• Ownership chain: NAWICO (1933), AWG (1954), Ste. Michelle Vintners (1972), UST (1974), Altria/Philip Morris (2009), Sycamore Partners (2021), Wyckoff family (December 2025)
• Wyckoff family: Yakima Valley-based, third-generation agricultural business, partner with Ste. Michelle for over 40 years via Coventry Vale custom crush winery