United States · Washington

Quilceda Creek

Quilceda Creek is one of Washington State's most decorated Cabernet Sauvignon producers, founded in 1978 by Alex Golitzin — a nephew of Andre Tchelistcheff — and now run with his son Paul. The winery achieved back-to-back 100-point scores from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate for the 2002 and 2003 vintages, cementing its status as Washington's benchmark Cabernet estate. At auction, 145 lots have traded with an average of $109 per bottle, ranging from $43 to $615. The Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon — sourced from one of Horse Heaven Hills' oldest and most prized Cabernet blocks — represents 125 of those lots at an average of $98, while the Merlot averages $178 across 20 lots. Quilceda Creek's production is tightly limited, mostly sold through a mailing list. The $615 ceiling reflects older library vintages or magnums from benchmark years. Parker's 100-point scores for 2002 and 2003 still drive premiums for those specific vintages. The winery's Columbia Valley blend and Champoux vineyard-designate are among the most critically acclaimed Cabs produced outside California, and auction prices reliably sit at or above retail for sought vintages.