New Releases from Avennia Winery

Managing partner Marty Taucher and winemaker/partner Chris Peterson founded Avennia Winery in 2010. Located in Woodinville, Washington, Avennia made an impressive debut with their first releases in the fall of 2012. The winery name was inspired by the Roman name for the city of Avignon and is a nod to Old World winemaking. Winemaker Chris Peterson, who spent eight years crafting award-winning wines at DeLille Cellars, is passionate about Old World winemaking techniques and strives to make wines with structure and elegance.

Recently, we had the opportunity to try Avennia’s new releases, the 2011 Arnaut Syrah, 2011 Justine Red Wine, and 2012 Oliane Sauvignon Blanc, in a blind samples tasting. All three wines were good, but we were especially impressed with the Arnaut Syrah. This 100% Syrah is produced with fruit sourced from Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. It is an outstanding wine and delivers serious bang for your buck.

Avennia wines are offered on an allocated basis to their mailing list members. While you may find some of their wines elsewhere, I highly encourage you to get on their mailing list now before it closes and you are out of luck. Other than release events for mailing list members, the winery is not open to the public.

2011 Avennia Arnaut Syrah (Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington): 100% Syrah. Dark, dense purple. Gorgeous nose with earth, black fruit, and spice rack aromas. Blackberry, black cherry, cinnamon, and a touch of smoked meat come through on the palate. Full-bodied with lively acidity and high, silky tannins. Well-balanced with good mouthfeel and a very long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $48

2011 Avennia Justine Red Wine (Columbia Valley, Washington): 46% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, and 24% Syrah. Deep, dark purple. Aromatic with earth and blackberry on the nose. More blackberry and earth as well as black cherry and smoked meat come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced with a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $38

2012 Avennia Oliane Sauvignon Blanc (Yakima Valley, Washington): 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Pale, straw yellow in color. Nice nose with peach and floral aromas and flavors. Dry and light-bodied with crisp acidity and a creamy mouthfeel.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $25

New Releases from Avennia Winery was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.