Columbia Crest H3 Pinot Gris

Columbia Crest H3 Pinot Gris is a Washington State white wine from Horse Heaven Hills bottled at 13.0% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The expression earned 89 points from Wine Spectator, which praised its open texture and pure, dry finish — a notable achievement for a value-tier Pinot Gris from the Columbia Valley.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.0%  |  Origin: Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington  |  Style: Pinot Gris Blend  |  Winery: Columbia Crest

Production & Heritage

Columbia Crest Winery, one of Washington State's largest and most recognized producers, sources this bottling from its Horse Heaven Hills estate vineyards — the "H3" in the name refers to the appellation. The blend is 92% Pinot Gris with 8% Pinot Blanc, an addition that broadens the mid-palate weight. What distinguishes the H3 Pinot Gris from many competing Washington whites is a split fermentation approach: whole-berry pressed juice is cold-settled at 50°F in stainless steel tanks, while roughly 8% of the juice is fermented in two-year-old American oak barrels. After fermentation, the wine rests on lees for five months with weekly hand-stirring, building texture and subtle complexity before final blending.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Orchard blossoms and cling peach open the nose, followed by hints of citrus peel and a light vanilla accent contributed by the partial oak treatment. The aromatics are lifted and clean without being one-dimensional.

Taste: The entry is bright with pear and green apple, transitioning at mid-palate to riper white-fruit flavors — pineapple and grapefruit emerge alongside a faint lemon-zest snap. The Pinot Blanc component and lees contact lend a roundness that keeps the wine from feeling thin, while stainless-steel fermentation preserves crisp acidity throughout.

Finish: Medium in length, dry, and juicy with lingering notes of orchard fruit and a clean mineral edge. There is no residual sweetness; the finish leaves a mouth-watering freshness.

How to Drink H3 Pinot Gris

Serve well-chilled at 45–50°F in a standard white-wine glass; a slight warming in the glass reveals the oak-influenced vanilla and lees-driven texture. This wine also works well in several cocktail-adjacent serves: a White Wine Spritz with soda water and a grapefruit twist plays off the citrus core; a Hugo Spritz (elderflower, prosecco, and sparkling water) can be riffed by substituting the H3 Pinot Gris for prosecco, adding body; and a Wine Sangria built with stone fruit, mint, and a splash of St-Germain pairs naturally with the wine's peach and pear character.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where an uncomplicated yet textured white wine is needed
• Summer patio gatherings or outdoor entertaining
• Introducing friends to Washington State whites beyond Riesling and Chardonnay
• Pairing exercises alongside Pacific Northwest seafood

Frequently Asked Questions

What does H3 Pinot Gris taste like? H3 Pinot Gris delivers bright pear, apple, and citrus flavors with a touch of tropical fruit, finishing dry and juicy. Partial oak aging adds a subtle vanilla undertone and slightly rounder texture than fully stainless-steel-fermented Pinot Gris.

How does H3 Pinot Gris compare to Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris? Both are sourced from Columbia Valley, but H3 Pinot Gris uses partial American oak barrel fermentation and extended lees contact, giving it more mid-palate weight. Chateau Ste. Michelle's Pinot Gris is typically fermented entirely in stainless steel, making it leaner and more overtly citrus-driven.

Is H3 Pinot Gris good for sipping on its own? Yes — the dry profile, balanced acidity, and moderate 13.0% ABV make it a straightforward sipper that does not require food, though it pairs well if you prefer. Serve it chilled for the best expression of its fruit and floral character.

Where is H3 Pinot Gris made? H3 Pinot Gris is produced by Columbia Crest Winery from vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, a sub-appellation of the larger Columbia Valley in southeastern Washington State. The "H3" designation refers directly to the Horse Heaven Hills origin.

What foods pair well with H3 Pinot Gris? Grilled white fish or halibut benefits from the wine's acidity and citrus notes. Thai green curry finds balance with the wine's fruit-forward freshness. Goat cheese salads echo the creamy lees-driven texture. Shrimp ceviche mirrors the grapefruit and lemon-zest character. Roasted chicken with herbs matches the wine's mid-palate weight without overpowering it.

What sizes does H3 Pinot Gris come in? H3 Pinot Gris is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is H3 Pinot Gris worth the price? H3 Pinot Gris positions as a value-tier Washington white that punches above its weight — the partial oak aging, lees stirring, and 89-point Wine Spectator score are unusual at this price level. It represents strong everyday drinking without sacrificing complexity.

Why H3 Pinot Gris?

The split-fermentation technique — stainless steel for freshness, American oak for texture — sets this wine apart from the majority of sub-$15 Pinot Gris bottlings, which rely solely on tank fermentation. An 89-point Wine Spectator rating and 87-point Wine Enthusiast score confirm that the approach works. The Horse Heaven Hills AVA, known for consistent sunshine and cooling winds off the Columbia River, produces grapes with the acidity-ripeness balance that makes this blend cohesive. For drinkers looking beyond Oregon for quality Pinot Gris with a bit more body and a distinctly Washington identity, the H3 bottling remains a reliable benchmark.