Today we share the outstanding wines of one of Red Mountain’s greats. This is also one of the most gorgeous spots to taste in the Pacific Northwest, with sweeping views of the Columbia Valley. Chris Upchurch is a legendary winemaker, having crafted an incredible range of wines for DeLille Cellars before starting his first outpost more than a decade ago. He now has an outpost in Woodinvlle that is right in the town center, near the new Somm Hotel.
He is now making a gorgeous Cheinin Blanc from the Yakima Valley. I love the 2024 Upchurch Vineyard Chenin Blanc (OB, 93) which is rich and viscous with good verve. I was blown away with the thrilling 2023 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Hero Twins’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 99) which flirts with perfection and has such a long way to go in the cellar. Learn more about this fantastic winery at https://upchurchvineyard.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Upchurch Vineyard.
2024 Upchurch Vineyard Chenin Blanc- Sourced from a location near the Boushey Vineyard, the 2024 Chenin Blanc offers nutty nuances with green papaya and mango notes on the palate. The textural elements from the partial malolactic fermentation are really nice. This is dense and refreshing stuff that is best enjoyed over the next six years. Drink 2026-2032- 93
2023 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Hero Twins’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Hero Twins’ is all Clone 2 estate Cabernet Sauvignon from the Upchurch Vineyard. Stored in all new French oak (Taransaud and Icon), this comes together beautifully on the nose with gorgeous red and dark florals alongside cedar, Asian spices and suggestions of dark chocolate shavings. The palate is utterly stunning as this glides throughout the drinking experience with loads of mouth-watering acidity and fabulous flavor density. This will easily be a 20 year wine. Drink 2026-2046- 99