Canon De Sol Winery and Vineyard

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Cañon de Sol is a 45-acre winery in the heart of Washington’s wine country. Outside Benton City reside Badger Canyon and the home of Cañon de Sol. A former engineer, Victor Cruz, left his comfortable career to reinvent himself as a winemaker – another victim of notorious wine bug.

Along with Prosser-based Martinez & Martinez, they are the only Latino-owned wineries in the State. In his 10+ years of winemaking, Victor’s accomplishments speak for themselves (e.g., in 2004 Cañon de Sol took best in show at the prestigious Northwest Wine Summit) and the fact that he’s also the winemaker for Irlandes Winery (co-located at his Woodinville tasting room) and Kennewick’s Anelare tells us he’s in demand. Interestingly, Victor attended middle school with Washington’s renowned winemaker Charlie Hoppes (Fidelitas). One wonders if they discussed winemaking secrets during P.E.

Victor’s 2,300 square foot tasting room in Woodinville provides ample space for a vanload of WineTrail fans to experience both his Cañon de Sol and Irlandes labels. It’s a manageable portfolio of wines to sample and be sure to try his Meritage label featuring a delicious blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec and cabernet franc. If that swirling and sipping works up an appetite, check out nearby Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant and imagine their Chile Relleno with Victor’s viognier. Salud!