Snoqualmie is one of Washington state's first premium wineries. Snoqualmie has been producing award-winning wines from Columbia Valley vineyards for nearly two decades.

Snoqualmie takes its name from the rugged mountain pass at the top of the Cascade Range that serves as the gateway to vineyards in the Columbia Valley. The Cascades protect eastern Washington from Seattle's rainy, maritime weather and create a buffer that gives the region its sunny days, dry climate-perfect for growing world-class grapes.

Its portfolio includes Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet-Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and three reserve bottlings, a Merlot and a Cabernet Sauvignon, and recently released Syrah. (The portfolio also includes the following wines distributed in the Northwest only: Johannisberg Riesling, White Riesling, Semillon-Chardonnay and Semillon Blanc.)

A Washington wine industry veteran, Joy Andersen began making wines nearly 20 years ago. She took over the reins at Snoqualmie in 1991, and under her leadership, Snoqualmie has consistently produced approachable, food-friendly wines.

Andersen is particularly adept at working with vineyard managers to cultivate each varietal to optimum expression. Come harvest Andersen is so intimately familiar with each varietal's flavor profile that she already has conceived how she will showcase these flavors in the finished wine.

Snoqualmie's vineyards lie within three distinct growing regions in the Columbia Valley, each producing grapes with flavors unique to the area. Winemaker Joy Andersen considers the individuality of each growing region one of her strongest winemaking tools, and the resulting wines are distinctive:

Wahluke Slope vineyards are situated in one of the warmest areas in the state and grapes from here are usually the first to ripen. White varieties are crisp and aromatic while red varieties are lush with generous structure.

Horse Heaven Hills vineyards are located along the Columbia River in south central Columbia Valley. White grapes offer a big, juicy fruit flavor while red grapes are deep, rich and intensely flavored.

Yakima Valley vineyards lie in a cooler-growing region that also has a shorter growing season. When blended into finished wine, fruit from these vineyards presents an interesting herbal-spice character to the overall blend.

Snoqualmie’s Naked wines are produced from 100% organically grown grapes from Washington State. The wines are produced and bottled in an organically certified facility as well, following all of the processing guidelines set forth by the USDA for organic wines.

Following the recent creation by the USDA of a National Organic Program, an organic wine is now defined as “a wine made from organically grown grapes and without any added sulfites.” By this restriction, if sulfites are added, the wine must now be referred to as “wines made from organic grapes” (or organically grown grapes).

Yes and no. The USDA defines organic wine as “a wine made from organically grown grapes and without any added sulfites.” Because sulfites are added to these wines, we cannot claim them to be 100% organic. However, other than the added sulfites our wines are produced according to the FDA’s organic standards, using 100% organically farmed grapes and are produced and bottled in a certified organic facility.

Sulfites are a natural by-product of fermentation, and all wines naturally contain about 8-40 ppm of SO2. The minimal sulfites that we add to our Naked wines contribute to the taste, preservation and aroma of the wines as well as inhibiting bacterial spoilage and oxidations. Sulfites have been used for centuries to protect wine from spoilage and because of the alcohol and pH qualities of wine; only a small amount is needed to ensure stability.

Snoqualmie Vineyards is among Washington's oldest wineries and winemaker Joy Andersen, with two decades of experience, is among those most knowledgeable about grape growing and winemaking in the Columbia Valley. Andersen approaches winemaking like a master chef. She is in the vineyards throughout the growing season assessing grape development. In the cellar, she enjoys experimenting with yeast strains and a variety of oak barrels. Andersen is a careful blender whose familiarity with grapes from Snoqualmie's distinct growing regions enables her to capture the best of the Columbia Valley.

Snoqualmie's growth had previously been restricted by limited vineyard plantings and so it remained a hometown treasure. But as demand for Columbia Valley wines increased, Washington vineyard owners planted in earnest. Acreage nearly tripled during the past 10 years. Combine that with the growing interest in Washington wines -- Washington State was named "Wine Region of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast in 2001 -- the time is right for everyone to enjoy a bottle of Snoqualmie no matter where you live!

Originally available only in the Pacific Northwest, Snoqualmie Wines are found at a growing number of fine restaurants and select wine shops around the United States. For help locating a retailer in your area, please use our Retailer Directory, or email your request to us at info@snoqualmie.com including your city, state and zip code.

A limited amount of wine is also available from the winery directly, but due to state laws we may only ship to the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

For more information, call 1-800-852-0885 or 1-509-786-5558.

Back To Top