Roger M.
Yelp
A splendid time eating bistro food and wine tasting - that I "Elite-ly" "Yelp-in-ly"recommend!
Maryhill Winery sits high above the scenic Columbia River near Goldendale WA. Exquisite views for sipping a glass of wine on the open and part terraced patio. For this view I'd partake in the pouring rain! Hey, it was chilly and overcast and we sat outside and loved every moment.
The vines love these soil nutrients deposited by the Great Missoula floods. In the last ice age 14,000 years ago the cataclysmic Missoula glacial lake carved out the Columbia River Gorge out to Willamette Valley spreading nutrients rich for growing grapes. How fortunate we are! The Columbia River Gorge in my mind is the 9th "Wonder of the World." For sure a world renown location for growing grapes to make some of the best Pinot Noirs and red wines in the world.
We loved the Olympic Provisions cured meats and artisan cheese on a huge charcuterie board with fig apricot conserve, roasted garlic, pickled red onion & peppers, pickles, spicy mustard and flat crackers. We ate - as we tasted a flight of red wines from the estate and from other viticultural AVA regions. The $25 tasting fee is waived when you buy a bottle of wine of at least $30. Good deal. We purchased a Malbec Reserve $44 with taste notes of Blackberry, black licorice, and dried juniper berry and a palate with secondary flavors of truffles, pipe tobacco, and a touch of white pepper. Great wine and scrumptious food. I highly recommend this unforgettable experience. Eat at the bistro! Taste the wines! Delight in the stellar views! Excellent service!
The tasting room is 3,000 square feet with gift shop. And, there is a 1,200 square-foot Reserve Room showcasing limited production fruit-of-vine! Maryhill also features a 3 to 4000 seat outdoor amphitheater that hosts summer concerts. Who knew? I did not know that until I visited. Would like to come back for that!
Maryhill Winery has been honored with more than 3,000 awards since its first vintage in 2001, including being named 2015 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest and the 2014 Winery of the Year at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. Winemaker Richard Batchelor has twice earned the Winemaker of the Year award at the Indy International Wine Competition, including in 2013 and 2018.
Just a touch of history - Millionaire attorney and road pioneer, Sam Hill sought to create an independent farming community named after his wife, Mary. He also began planning a 3-story home around 1914 to entertain Belgian King Albert. Stopped construction beginning WW1. Now its a 35,000 square foot museum - one of the Pacific Northwest's most fascinating cultural destinations.