Chateau Ste. Michelle

Well-Established Washington Winery

Description

As one of the state's oldest wineries, Chateau Ste. Michelle has a place in Washington's history. It was founded in 1934, right after the United States repealed its Prohibition laws, and has been producing high-class wine ever since. In the 1950s, grapes were planted in the Columbia Valley, leading to the winery's first bottles produced under the Chateau Ste. Michelle label. The winery is also one of the first to have established two separate winemaking facilities, one for making reds and one for making whites. Although all the wines made by Chateau Ste. Michelle are excellent, their most award-winning and acclaimed varieties are Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery is open for tastings of its delicious wines, as well as guided tours of its facilities that discuss winemaking, the history of the winery, and information about the area.