Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Wins Acclaim from Major Wine Publications

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Acclaimed by Major Wine Publications WOODINVILLE, WA, Wine Spectator has named two wines from the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates portfolio to its 2006 list of the “Top 100 Most Exciting Wines in the World."

At #25 is Spring Valley Vineyard's 2003 Uriah Walla Walla Valley red wine, which earned a 94-point rating from the magazine. Also on the list is Chateau Ste. Michelle's Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay, which scored 92 points.

This comes with the recent news that Wine Enthusiast magazine has named Chateau Ste. Michelle's 2003 Ethos Syrah #8 on its list of “Top 100 Wines of 2006," with a score of 94 points.

Two wines from the Ste. Michelle portfolio were named to the Enthusiast's “Top 100 Best Buys" list. Taking the #1 spot was Columbia Crest's 2002 Grand Estates Shiraz, rated at 90 points; joining it was Snoqualmie's 2004 Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc.

Ste. Michelle wineries also earned kudos from Wine & Spirits. Chateau Ste. Michelle was awarded its 12th “Winery of the Year" honor by the magazine for 2007, tying it with Shafer of California for the most-honored American winery. Conn Creek, the California producer of limited release Cabernet Sauvignons, was also named a “Winery of the Year".

In addition to these accolades, Columbia Crest's 2002 Two Vines Merlot and Domaine Ste. Michelle's Columbia Valley Extra Dry sparkling wine were named to Wine & Spirits list of “Top 100 Best Values of 2006."

“This has been quite a year for us," said Ted Baseler, President and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. “Once again it validates our goal to give the winemakers at our wineries the freedom and premium grapes to produce the very best wines in the world."

The Wine Spectator's Top 100 selections were culled from nearly 13,500 newly released wines in 2005, which were then narrowed down to the nearly 3,000 outstanding (90 points or higher on a 100 point scale.) From these finalists, according to the magazine, the final 100 were selected based on quality, value, availability, and an X-factor: Excitement.

Since 1995, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates has placed 31 wines on the Wine Spectator's annual Top 100 list, including Columbia Crest's 2001 Grand Estates Merlot and Columbia Crest's 2002 Walter Clore Private Reserve red wine. Chateau Ste. Michelle's Eroica Riesling, made with acclaimed German winemaker Ernst Loosen, has been on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list five times.

“The recognition by Wine Spectator of four superb wines from Washington reinforces that we are one of the world's top wine-producing regions,added Baseler. The other Washington wines included on this year's Wine Spectator Top 100 are Quilceda Creek's 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon at #2 and Novelty Hill's 2003 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at #84.

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is based in Woodinville, Washington, on the historic Chateau Ste. Michelle grounds, east of downtown Seattle. The company's vineyards are east of the Cascade Mountain Range, also the location of the company's Spring Valley, Northstar, Columbia Crest and Snoqualmie wineries. The company also makes Domaine Ste. Michelle sparkling wine there.

In 2006, a state-of-the-art winery was built in the Red Mountain AVA for Col Solare, the luxury red wine made by Ste. Michelle and Tuscanyâ's Piero Antinori. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is also the exclusive distributor of Antinori wines in the United States.

For Futher Information:
Gracie Doyle 425.415.3359