Tsillan Cellars Dominates North Central Washington Wine Awards

WENATCHEE — In a display of viticultural prowess, Tsillan Cellars has emerged as the undisputed champion at the 2023 North Central Washington Wine Awards. This highly anticipated event, held at the Wenatchee Wine & Food Festival in the Town Toyota Center on Aug. 26, featured stiff competition with 30 prominent wineries from North Central Washington presenting over 300 wines for scrutiny.

Tsillan Cellars' exceptional performance at the awards reaffirms its position as a leading winery in Washington State. The winery not only secured the titles of "BEST RED WINE" and "BEST WHITE WINE" but also clinched the prestigious "BEST OF SHOW" award, the highest accolade of the evening. In addition, Tsillan Cellars claimed an impressive four "BEST OF CLASS" awards, making it a standout in various categories.

Taking center stage was Tsillan Cellars' 2020 Estate Barbera, which not only won the "BEST RED WINE" category but also earned the coveted "BEST OF SHOW" honor. It achieved an exceptional score of 96 points, the highest in this year's competition. Notably, Barbera grapes are notoriously challenging to cultivate, requiring ample sunlight and extended ripening periods to reach their full potential. Tsillan Cellars' estate vineyards on the South Shore of Lake Chelan provided the ideal conditions for this exceptional wine, which had previously claimed top honors at the 2023 Seattle Wine Awards. Dr. Bob Jankelson, owner of Tsillan Cellars, commended Head Winemaker Garrett Grubbs and Vineyard Manager Nic Stevens for their role in crafting this world-class Barbera.

In the realm of white wines, Tsillan Cellars' 2022 Sempre Amore, a blend of 75% Pinot Grigio and 25% Riesling, was awarded the title of "BEST WHITE WINE" with an outstanding score of 95 points. This achievement was complemented by Tsillan Cellars' exceptional performance across various categories, including their 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, 2020 Estate Merlot, 2020 Estate Dolcetto, and 2022 Estate Pinot Grigio, all of which received "BEST OF CLASS" awards.

Notably, the 2020 Estate Dolcetto from Tsillan Cellars also secured the title of the best Dolcetto in the prestigious 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, further solidifying the winery's reputation for excellence.