Wine Press Northwest’s winter issue revealed the winners of their 2018 Platinum competition. The Westport Winery team was thrilled to learn they had earned two double platinum, two platinum, and ten double gold medals in this invitational event held in Kennewick, Washington, in November.
With over 600 entries it was an incredible honor for Westport to additionally be called out in the feature article. The author’s said, “Along the coast of Washington, Westport Winery Garden Resort again showed why it pays to spend more on quality grapes. Newlywed winemaker Dana Roberts used the Sauer family’s venerable Red Willow Vineyard and Milo May’s gorgeous and youthful Discovery Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills to earn three Platinums. But Roberts also netted a Platinum using ocean-influenced fruit to make his perennial delicious sparkling cranberry wine.”
In the article’s summary they note that Westport Winery is now among the “King of the Platinum” having earned seventeen of these prestigious awards in this event in their ten-year history placing them in the top fifteen platinum earning wineries in the Northwest including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia. This is especially exciting given that the majority of other wineries on this list have significant longer histories with this 18-year-old contest.
Double platinum medals were awarded to Mermaid Merlot and Charterboat Chick Cabernet Sauvignon. Dawn Patrol Raspberry Riesling and Rapture of the Deep Sparkling Cranberry were honored with platinum medals. Double gold medals were earned by Message In A Bottle Rosé of Sangiovese, Nirvana Red Blend, Shiver Me Timbers Passionfruit Orange Guava Riesling, Jetty Cat Red Blend, Little Wild Marionberry Riesling, Lighthouse Riesling, Going Coastal Sparkling Gewurztraminer, Maritime Sparkling Riesling, Captain Gray Gewurztraminer, and Bordello Blonde White Blend.
The year 2018 will be an exciting evolution for the company following on the heels of a banner year for the winery as well, earning top local, regional, and national recognition. In October, they were named Greater Grays Harbor Business of the Year. The Sea Glass Grill at Westport Winery Garden Resort was voted #2 winery restaurant in the nation in 2017 by USA Today. The business has been voted Best Winery by King 5 Evening Magazine seven times, the most recent in 2017.
In 2016 Westport Winery was honored as one of the top twenty most-admired wineries in North America by Winery & Vineyard Management Magazine. The business earned Best Winery, Best Wine Shop, and Best Boutique Winery for 2016 by South Sound Magazine. They received the Grays Harbor Environmental Stewardship Award in 2015. They were named the Best Washington Family Business Silver Medal winners in 2012 by Seattle Business Magazine. And in 2011 they garnered Washington Winery to Watch by Wine Press Northwest.
Westport Winery’s new location at 810 Broadway in Seaside will open in January. The Oregon tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Family-friendly Westport Winery Garden Resort, is located on the corner of Highway 105 and South Arbor Road halfway between Aberdeen and Westport. The resort (including the restaurant, bakery, plant nursery and 15-acre display garden) is open daily or breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information or reservations call 360-648-2224.