Johannisberg Riesling
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2024
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Spicy Thai curry, roasted pork loin, blue cheese
✨ Technical Specifications
Columbia Crest's Johannisberg Riesling is a classic representation of the early days of Washington State viticulture, when the grape was widely celebrated under its traditional German synonym. Sourced from the sun-drenched, wind-swept vineyards of the Columbia Valley, this wine benefits from the dramatic diurnal temperature shifts of the high desert, which lock in vibrant, crisp acidity while allowing the grapes to develop lush fruit flavors. Vinified entirely in stainless steel tanks to preserve its aromatic purity and fresh fruit character, this off-dry Riesling captures the pioneering spirit of the region, delivering a beautifully balanced profile that showcases the historical strength of Washington white wines.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1982 by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Columbia Crest was the pioneer winery founded within what is now the acclaimed Horse Heaven Hills AVA of eastern Washington. Situated along the benchlands above the Columbia River, the estate takes full advantage of a semi-arid, rain-shadowed microclimate marked by intense summer sunshine, constant river breezes that deter frost and pests, and fast-draining, wind-blown Warden silt loam soils. Initial plantings in 1978 and early winemaking under founding cellar master Doug Gore established the winery's benchmark status for reliable varietal purity and commercial scale. The production regimen bridges large-scale precision with small-lot barrel fermentation and French and American oak aging. Columbia Crest cemented its reputation when its 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon won Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year. Today, the estate produces tiered selections ranging from the everyday Two Vines and Grand Estates labels to vineyard-driven Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay expressions.
🍇 Grapes
Riesling