Kontos Cellars is family owned by Rebecca and Cameron Kontos. They specialize in ultra-premium wines from the heart of the Walla Walla Valley. Small-lot production enables them to work closely with local vineyards, hand selecting the grapes that go into their beautiful wines.

Why our featured Coug selected this wine: “Kontos Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon encapsulates the Eastern Washington springtime experience. This bold wine will warm the spirit and challenge the most discerning palette.”

Winemaker Notes: Built on structured tannins and hints of leather aromas which provide the perfect leading edge for cranberries, plum, and black cherry. Recommended cellar time: Perfect now through 2020.

McKinley Springs Winery was established in 2002 with a goal of producing balanced, flavorful wines offering excellent value. McKinley Springs grows over 20 varietals on its 2000-acre estate vineyard in the southern part of Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills appellation. The region’s arid climate, high winds, and low-density vineyards provide ideal growing conditions. McKinley Springs supplies 25 noted area wineries with grapes, including WBC wineries Northstar, Hogue, and Columbia Crest.

Why our featured Coug selected this wine: “Spring is a great time to fire up the barbeque; enjoy this Cabernet with a great Rib Eye hot off the grill.”

Winemaker Notes: This blend of the original “old block,” planted in 1980, and newer block 17, is aged 21 months in 50% new oak barrels. A touch of Petit Verdot intensifies the deep crimson color and gives nice balance to the palatte. It has aromas of cherry with flavors of ripe raspberry, chocolate, and a hint of spice. Recommended cellar time: Drink now through 2014.

Mercer Estates, a pioneer in winemaking and viticulture in the Columbia Valley, is committed to consistent, quality winemaking. Along with the Hogue family, longtime family friends, the Mercers have helped shape the past and present of Washington state winemaking. They are confidently traveling a new path in the Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima Valley, and Columbia Valley appellations.

Why our featured Coug selected this wine: “Our Cabernet Sauvignon exemplifies the rich and elegant wines offered by the Horse Heaven Hills appellation. Drink with friends and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

*Our Chardonnay grapes were fermented predominately in French oak barrels. This is a fresh, clean wine that will compliment any meal without overpowering it.”

Winemaker Notes: This Cabernet wine opens with ripe blackberry and cherry with scents of oak spice and vanilla. Flavors of cherry and spice combine with a rich mouthfeel, good structure, and a long supple finish. Recommended cellar time: Drink now through 2015.

*This elegant, complex Chardonnay expresses good varietal character accented with a hint of vanilla and oak spice. Enjoy the rich, creamy flavors of pear, melon, and anise followed by hints of toasted oak in the finish. Recommended cellar time: Enjoy now! (This wine is included in the one white/one red membership level only.)

Butch and Jerry Milbrandt planted their first vineyard in 1997. In the ensuing decade, Milbrandt Vineyards earned a reputation for growing some of Washington state’s finest grapes. These grapes have found their way into many of Washington’s most sought-after wines. In 2006, under the talented direction of winemaker Gordon Hill, they began crafting signature wines using select grapes from their estate vineyards.

Why our featured Coug selected this wine: “The 2006 Estates Cabernet Sauvignon is a great vintage. The fruit was selected from some of our favorite blocks at the estate Northridge and Clifton Hill Vineyards. Small amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec are blended back for color, depth, plumpness, and complexity.”

Winemaker Notes: The wine is dark garnet and filled with blackberries, cassis, vanilla, maple, and smoke. The flavors are intense and the tannins are soft and polished. With its deep fruit and generous palette, this is textbook Wahluke Slope appellation Cabernet.

Recommended cellar time: Drink now.