The Barnard Griffin Winery is one that a friend who works in the U. C. Davis botany department told me to be sure to look out for, when I first came to Washington. He said enthusiastic things about the wine, and about the winemaker, Rob Griffin, whom he described as being "innovative within the tradition." The Barnard Griffin Winery was founded in 1983 by Rob Griffin and Deborah Barnard. Griffin, who has a degree from U. C. Davis, has been working in the Washington wine industry since the mid seventies, first at Preston, and then at Hogue Cellars. His own winery is right smack in the heart of Washington wine country in the south-central region of the state, where the Yakima, Columbia and Snake rivers meet. Barnard and Griffin started producing their own wines in 1983, with their first efforts focusing on Chardonnay, Fumé Blanc, and Riesling. In the intervening years since then Barnard Griffin has established a reputation for high quality varietals. In 1996, the winery opened their own tasting room in Richland, Washington.

Their Barnard Griffin 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley won a gold medal, and it's not the only wine, by any means, to receive accolades. The 2007 Syrah, Columbia Valley won double gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Competition and the Barnard Griffin 2007 Rose of Sangiovese won best rosé, for the third time in a row. The Barnard Griffin 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley won all sorts of accolades at the 2008 Tri-States Festival. In March of this year Barnard Griffin's 2006 Reserve Merlot, Columbia Valley won best red in the Monterey Wine Festival, as well as a gold. In fact, Barnard Griffin has several medals at this year's festival including a gold for its 2007 Syrah, Columbia Valley. With the exception of the Reserve Merlot, which retails at around $30.00, all of these wines were released at under $20.00.

One of the things I like, very much, about the Barnard Griffin winery is that it is still family owned, even now. And they're still producing top quality, highly individual varietal wines, but in the $20 to $30 range. You may have to hunt a little to find them; Washington State Liquor Stores, and Haggen have been my best successes, but can also buy right from the winery. My first Barnard Griffin Wine was their lovely Fumé Blanc. I'm still looking for a bottle of their Rose of Sangiovese, which was released in February, but which has, as far as I can tell, completely sold out.