United States · Washington

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State's largest and oldest premium winery, founded in 1934 — predating the state's formal wine industry — and now headquartered in Woodinville, northeast of Seattle, with production facilities across the Columbia Valley. The estate is Washington State's most recognizable brand, producing Cabernet Sauvignon from the Cold Creek Vineyard (planted 1973, Columbia Valley's oldest commercial vineyard), Riesling in both dry and off-dry styles, and the Artist Series Meritage, the estate's prestige Bordeaux blend. The Cold Creek Cabernet is Washington State's reference-point single-vineyard Cabernet — sourced from the warm, rocky Horse Heaven Hills sub-appellation — and consistently earns scores in the 90–93 range. Chateau Ste. Michelle collaborated with Ernst Loosen of Mosel's Dr. Loosen to produce Eroica Riesling, one of Washington State's most critically successful wines. At auction, the estate averages $42 per bottle across 226 lots with a ceiling of $92 — a narrow range that reflects the brand's primarily commercial profile and the absence of trophy-vintage pricing in the auction pool. The Artist Series Meritage and Cold Creek Cabernet represent the upper auction tier. The winery's Cold Creek Vineyard, planted in 1973, holds historical significance as the Columbia Valley's oldest commercial Cabernet site, adding provenance appeal to its critical recognition.