APRIL WINE OF THE MONTH

2024 Coyote Canyon Winery Albariño

Quickly: Think about a winery where you like everything they make….

These wineries are rare, but I bet it was easy for you to come up with a name right away. If you live near Prosser, Washington, chances are your answer is Coyote Canyon Winery. In just two years of Peninsula Underground’s Washington State Wine Competition, they have won six best-in-class medals, six double golds, three golds, and seven silvers. That is one heck of a résumé in a short period of time. But the history of Coyote Canyon Canyon Winery goes back more than 40 years.

What Bob Andrews began as a cattle operation in the 1950s, transitioned to planting Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the early 1980s, and was licensed by son Mike as Coyote Canyon Winery in the early 2000s. Current winemaker Justin Michaud came on board in 2013, and has been making high-quality wine in the Horse Heaven Hills ever since.

With such an impressive lineup to choose from, selecting just one wine from Coyote Canyon as our April wine of the month is challenging. The 2024 Albariño, however, checks all the boxes. It won double gold and best in class in Peninsula Underground’s 2025 Washington State Wine Competition, was the ninth best wine overall, and at $28, the eighth best value. But it also has history on its side.

In 2006, Coyote Canyon Winery became the first winery in Washington state to plant Albariño. When you think of this grape, you very likely think of northwest Spain, but Albariño also thrives in the Horse Heaven Hills for several reasons:

The region has a warm, dry climate with cool nights, which helps Albariño retain acidity while developing ripe fruit flavors.
The soil in Horse Heaven Hills is well-draining, which is crucial for Albariño, a variety that doesn't like overly wet conditions. The well-drained soils help the vines produce concentrated, high-quality grapes.
The AVA enjoys a lot of sunlight, which helps the grape reach full ripeness without losing its acidity.
Horse Heaven Hills is known for good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases and maintains vine health. This ensures a cleaner crop, which is important for producing high-quality Albariño wines.

These factors combine to create an optimal environment for Albariño, resulting in wines with crisp acidity, bright fruit flavors, and aromatic complexity. Here’s what our judges said about our wine of the month:

A vibrant and refreshing wine, offering a dynamic range of primary flavors. On the nose, it showcases pronounced green apple, banana, pineapple, and pear, balanced by a touch of honeysuckle, petrichor, and grassy notes. The palate reveals subtle undertones of basil that add a unique depth. Floral tones and a mild white pepper hint round out the profile. Its steely finish is slightly effervescent, crisp, and clean, leaving a long, lingering sensation on the palate. The rare wine that is complex even though it is almost entirely primary in character.

Apart from all of the above, this is one of the wines that judges kept commenting about after the competition was over. And this new release can be yours for only $28 a bottle. Buy a whole bunch!

A pioneering varietal from a gifted winemaker in the heart of Horse Heaven Hills at an unbelievable price. That’s why the 2024 Coyote Canyon Winery Albariño is our wine of the month.

Learn more about Coyote Canyon Winery, buy their wine, and follow them here:

https://www.coyotecanyonwinery.com

@CoyoteCanyonWinery