Pondera Winery

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I love the fact that winemaker Shane Howard states that they will always focus on Bordeaux varieties. Maybe I’m biased, but my palate swings toward basic Bordeaux varieties such as cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec. Fortunately, Pondera Winery owner Melvin Howard agrees and for that we celebrate.

Let’s face it, Bordeaux derived grapes grow great in Washington. Some wonder what grape variety represents Washington. Well, maybe no particular grape…just the noble grapes of Bordeaux’s France. Actually, when you think of it, that’s not bad company and reason enough for wine lovers to visit Washington.

Those who venture here can experience the terroir of Washington by parking their car at the Woodinville Warehouse District and visiting Pondera Winery as well as others. But if you love “big reds” as I do, Pondera Winery won’t disappoint. This family owned boutique winery specializes in the production of high quality, well-balanced red varietals and Bordeaux style blends. Select Columbia Valley vineyards provide the grapes for the wine with production limited to less than 2,000 cases annually. Think small-lot; punch down; aged in French oak barrels individually nurtured for your tasting pleasure. Be sure and sample the red blend Melvado that Wine Press Northwest noted as having “An amazing amount of fruit on the plummy palate, joined by dark chocolate and black olive.” (Don’t you just love that word “plummy.”)

What I love about the tasting room is the rotating exhibit of fine art supplied by Dan and Pat Howard of Kirkland’s Howard/Mandville Gallery. These works are from leading Northwest artists and somehow reinforce the notion the wine pairs with the great things in life including fine art. Check out www.howardmandville.com. By the way, maybe the beauty of the label shouldn’t sway us but Pondera Winery’s labels are simply fantastic. Visually enticing, these labels scream for you to uncork the bottle and enjoy.