Wine Spotlight: Maryhill Winery 2019 Albariño Proprietor's Reserve

MARYHILL WINERY 2019 ALBARIÑO PROPRIETOR'S RESERVE, COLUMBIA VALLEY, WA

In our house, we take wine seriously, but none so much as my wife’s favorite white grape, Albariño. Typically, we love a good Albariño from the Rias Biaxas region of Spain, so when we see it grown anywhere else, we MUST try it. Today we were beyond pleasantly surprised when we had the privilege of tasting the 2019 Albariño from Mayhill Winery. Their winemaker, Richard Batchelor, originally from New Zealand, puts an amazing spin on his Albariño by aging in Oak, something traditionally not done at all in Rias Biaxas, and his grapes are grown inland, also different than Spanish Albariño.

The golden straw-colored wine was pleasing on the eyes and even more so on the nose. Orange and lemon aromas with some floral and melon notes. Nicely acidic with lemon, cucumber, and mineral on the palate, reminiscent of Spanish Albariño but still a flavor onto its own. Additionally, my new friend Collyn, tasting room manager at the Hollywood Hill tasting room, suggested an amazing pairing of their Ceviche tostada, which alone was delicious, but paired with the wine became a magical trip to a seaside picnic, blending the best of the sea and the earth in one meal.

The tasting room itself was phenomenal, large and spaced out but providing an intimate feel for any guests, and the staff (Collyn specifically) were incredibly hospitable and knowledgeable about their wines. Collyn, a Napa Valley transplant, was very passionate about the winery and their customer driven focus. I am very excited to head back and see what lies in store for Maryhill Winery and the customer experiences they have rolling out in the coming months!