August 21, 2026

Washington State of Wine: Why This Fall's Most Exciting Virtual Tasting Is the One You Can't Miss

Let's be honest. When most people think "great American wine," their minds go straight to Napa Valley. Maybe Sonoma. And look — we love California. We really do. But there's a whole other wine story unfolding in the Pacific Northwest, and it's been quietly stealing the hearts of serious wine lovers for decades.

Washington State is America's second-largest premium wine-producing region. And yet, it still flies under the radar for so many wine enthusiasts. That's not a tragedy — that's an opportunity. Because right now, before the rest of the world fully catches on, you have a chance to discover something extraordinary.

And this fall, we're making it easy.

On September 23rd, the incomparable Laurie Forster — The Wine Coach — is leading an exclusive virtual tasting through The Wine Concierge, and she's taking us straight to Washington State. Three bottles. One unforgettable evening. And a whole new appreciation for what American wine can be.

Meet Your Guide: Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach

If you haven't encountered Laurie Forster yet, prepare to have your wine world expanded in the best possible way. Laurie is a nationally recognized wine expert, author, and educator who has spent her career making wine approachable, joyful, and genuinely fun — without ever dumbing it down.

She's the kind of guide who makes you feel like you already knew this stuff; you just needed someone to help you find the words. Her virtual tastings are part education, part storytelling, and entirely entertaining. Whether you're a seasoned collector or someone who still occasionally points at the label because it has a pretty bird on it, Laurie meets you exactly where you are.

This is her curated selection. These are her picks. And trust us — she does not miss.

Why Washington State? Let Us Count the Ways.

Washington State wine is having a moment — and it's earned every bit of it. Here's what makes this region so special:

The Climate Is Unlike Anything Else

Washington's wine country sits east of the Cascade Mountains in a high-desert environment that gets over 300 days of sunshine per year. Warm days allow grapes to ripen fully and develop rich, concentrated flavors. Cool nights preserve natural acidity and aromatic freshness. The result? Wines with both power and elegance — a combination that's genuinely hard to achieve.

The AVAs Are Wildly Diverse

Washington has over a dozen American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), each with its own personality. The Columbia Valley is the grand umbrella — vast, sun-drenched, and capable of producing everything from crisp whites to bold reds. Walla Walla Valley is the region's jewel, internationally celebrated for its Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Yakima Valley is one of the oldest and coolest AVAs, ideal for aromatic whites and structured reds.

The Winemakers Are Doing Something Special

Washington attracts winemakers who are passionate, independent, and unafraid to take risks. Many use sustainable and organic farming practices. Several are women-led. All of them are making wines that deserve a seat at any table — literally and figuratively.

The Value Is Exceptional

Here's the part that really gets us: Washington State wines consistently over-deliver on quality relative to price. You're getting Napa-level complexity at a fraction of the cost. That's not a secret we're willing to keep.

The Bundle: Three Bottles, Three Stories

Shop The Wine Coach Exclusive Fall 2026 Virtual Event Bundle — Washington State of Wine →
$88.98 | Free UPS Ground Shipping for Wine Coach subscribers | Order by September 14th

This isn't just a wine bundle. It's a curated journey through three of Washington's most compelling AVAs, hand-selected by Laurie to tell a complete story of the region. Let's meet the wines.

🍷 Bottle One: 2024 K Vintners Art Den Hoed Vineyard Viognier, Yakima Valley

Shop the K Vintners Viognier → | $29.99

Close your eyes and imagine: ripe peach, fresh apricot, honeysuckle, and a whisper of tangerine. Then, just when you think you've got it figured out, crushed slate and white rose show up to remind you this is not your average white wine.

The Art Den Hoed Vineyard sits at 1,300 feet elevation in the lower Yakima Valley — one of the coolest microclimates in the region. The 2024 growing season was shaped by an unusually harsh winter freeze that naturally restricted vine yields. Less fruit per vine means more concentration, more intensity, more everything in the glass.

This wine is crafted by K Vintners, founded by the legendary self-taught winemaker Charles Smith under the House of Smith umbrella. It's entirely unfined and unfiltered, made with native yeasts and whole-cluster pressing — a hands-on, artisan approach that you can taste in every sip. The farming is sustainable, organic, and biodynamic. Zero pesticides. Zero additives. Just the pure expression of an extraordinary place.

Pair it with: Roasted duck, creamy curries, or seared scallops with a ginger-citrus glaze.

🍷 Bottle Two: 2024 Seven Hills Merlot, Walla Walla Valley (Woman-Owned)

Shop the Seven Hills Merlot → | $30.00

Can we talk about Walla Walla Merlot for a second? Because it deserves its own fan club.

Merlot has had a complicated reputation in America — thanks, Sideways — but Washington State never got the memo. Walla Walla's moderate, mellower growing conditions allow Merlot to achieve a plush, complex maturity that's genuinely stunning. This isn't the thin, jammy Merlot of your past. This is something else entirely.

The 2024 Seven Hills Merlot opens with an opulent bouquet of black raspberry, dark cherry, and red currants, layered with warm baking spices, cigar box, and rich mocha. The texture is velvety. The tannins are fine and powdery. There are subtle notes of graphite and sage that make you want to sit with this wine and just... think.

Seven Hills Winery is one of the historic cornerstones of Walla Walla — a woman-owned winery that pioneered premium winemaking in the region long before it achieved international fame. Winemaker Bobby Richards champions an old-world philosophy: elegant, food-friendly structures, restrained oak, and a genuine sense of place. The wine is vegan-friendly and sustainably farmed.

Pair it with: A sizzling ribeye, savory meatballs, roasted lamb, or an elegant holiday roast.

🍷 Bottle Three: 2022 L'Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley (Woman-Owned)

Shop the L'Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon → | $39.99

If Washington State has a flagship red, Cabernet Sauvignon is making a strong case for the title — and L'Ecole No. 41 is one of the most compelling arguments you'll ever taste.

This wine is a classic. Rich dark fruit — black cherry, black plum — woven with mocha, mint, pencil lead, and beautiful herbal nuances of eucalyptus, lavender, and violet. The palate is expansive and robust, with layers of blackberry and cassis supported by fine, powdery tannins. It's the kind of Cabernet that makes you understand why people cellar wine.

The 2022 vintage in the Columbia Valley was defined by a cooler-than-average growing season with an extended autumn — ideal conditions for thick-skinned tannic ripeness and physiological maturity. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 22 months in 100% French oak (25% new), giving it exceptional cellaring potential.

L'Ecole No. 41 is a third-generation, family-owned, woman-owned winery operating out of a beautifully restored 1915 schoolhouse in Frenchtown, just west of Walla Walla. Over 40+ years, they've built direct, long-term partnerships with the oldest and most proven independent growers in the Columbia Valley. Old vines. Manual harvesting. Gravity-assisted cellar transfers. This is winemaking with intention.

Pair it with: Rosemary-crusted prime rib, wild game, rich mushroom risotto, or sharp aged cheeses.

How to Join the Virtual Tasting

Here's everything you need to know:

Order Deadline: September 14, 2026 by 5:00 PM — don't wait on this one
Event Date: September 23, 2026
Bundle Price: $88.98 for all three bottles
Shipping: Free UPS Ground Shipping for Wine Coach subscribers (use Laurie's link and checkout code)
Delivery Note: An adult 21+ must be present to sign for UPS alcohol shipments

Wine Coach subscribers: purchase through the link Laurie shared in her announcement and use your event checkout code for free shipping.

Not a Wine Coach subscriber yet? You can still grab the bundle here and join us for the tasting.

And remember — free shipping on 6 bottles or more sitewide at The Wine Concierge. So if you're thinking about adding a few individual bottles to your order, now's the time.

Washington State Is Your Next Wine Obsession — We Promise

We've been in the business of curating wine experiences for a while now, and we can tell you with full confidence: Washington State is one of the most exciting wine regions in the world right now. The producers are passionate. The terroir is extraordinary. The value is unmatched.

And with Laurie Forster as your guide, you're not just tasting wine — you're learning to see wine differently. To understand why a wine tastes the way it does. To feel confident choosing a bottle, pairing it with food, and sharing it with the people you love.

That's what we're here for. That's what The Wine Concierge has always been about.

Grab your bundle before September 14th →