Barnard Griffin Riesling

Barnard Griffin Riesling is an off-dry Washington Riesling from Columbia Valley AVA, bottled at 12.3% ABV in a 750ml format. Sourced from the historic Bacchus Vineyard — planted in 1972 — this expression draws on over fifty years of vine maturity to deliver concentration and complexity uncommon at its price point. The 2012 vintage earned 91 points from Wine Enthusiast, and Wine Spectator named the 2008 vintage one of its 100 most exciting wines of 2009.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.3%  |  Origin: Columbia Valley AVA, Washington  |  Style: Off-Dry (5.5 g/L RS)  |  Winery: Barnard Griffin

Production & Heritage

Barnard Griffin is a family-owned winery based in Washington's Columbia Valley, one of the state's most important appellations for aromatic white varieties. This Riesling is made from 100% Riesling grapes grown at Bacchus Vineyard, a site first planted in 1972, giving the wine access to deeply rooted old vines that produce fruit with notable intensity. The wine is cool-fermented in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation, preserving primary fruit character and bright acidity while finishing with a restrained 5.5 grams per liter of residual sugar — enough to soften the wine's naturally high acid without tipping into overtly sweet territory.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe peach and apricot, followed by lighter notes of blossom and pineapple sorbet. A subtle sweet pea floral quality adds an aromatic lift that distinguishes it from leaner, bone-dry examples.

Taste: The entry is round and fruit-forward, with yellow apple and stone fruit giving way to a mid-palate surge of voltage-level acidity. Pickled lemon and lime zest emerge as the wine develops, balanced by a saline, almost mineral pithiness that keeps the residual sugar in check. The overall impression is bright and focused rather than sweet.

Finish: The finish is clean, moderately long, and driven by saline minerality. Citrus pith and a subtle saltiness linger, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip or the next bite.

How to Drink Barnard Griffin Riesling

Serve well chilled at 45–50°F to highlight the wine's interplay between fruit sweetness and acid tension. This Riesling is most expressive on its own or alongside food, and its off-dry balance makes it especially versatile at the table. A Riesling Spritz — combining the wine with a splash of soda water and a lemon twist — makes a low-ABV warm-weather refresher. It also works beautifully in a Hugo Cocktail, where the wine's floral aromatics complement elderflower liqueur and fresh mint. For something unexpected, try it in a White Wine Sangria with sliced stone fruit and a touch of brandy, letting the peach and apricot notes in the wine echo the fresh fruit.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring spicy Asian cuisine or Thai takeout
• Introducing a wine-curious friend to off-dry Riesling
• Summer porch sessions where a lighter, chilled wine outshines spirits
• Building a side-by-side Washington vs. German Riesling tasting at home

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Barnard Griffin Riesling taste like? It delivers ripe peach and yellow apple up front, followed by sharp citrus zest and pickled lemon acidity, with a clean saline finish. The residual sugar (5.5 g/L) adds body but the wine reads as just off-dry rather than sweet.

How does Barnard Griffin Riesling compare to Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling? Both are Columbia Valley Rieslings in the off-dry style at roughly 12% ABV, but Barnard Griffin draws its fruit from the Bacchus Vineyard — vines planted in 1972 — which contributes deeper concentration and a more pronounced saline minerality. Chateau Ste. Michelle's version is typically produced in much larger volume, making Barnard Griffin a more site-specific alternative.

Is Barnard Griffin Riesling good for beginners? Yes — its touch of residual sugar softens the palate without masking the acidity, making it an accessible entry point for drinkers who find bone-dry whites too austere. The 12.3% ABV also keeps it lighter than many Chardonnays and Viogniers.

Where is Barnard Griffin Riesling made? It is produced by Barnard Griffin winery in Washington State's Columbia Valley AVA, using Riesling grapes sourced from Bacchus Vineyard, one of the region's oldest plantings, established in 1972.

What foods pair well with Barnard Griffin Riesling? Spicy Thai green curry, where the residual sugar tames capsaicin heat. Seared pork chops with an apple-mustard glaze, echoing the wine's stone fruit notes. Fresh ceviche or raw oysters, complementing the saline finish. Aged Gruyère or Comté, whose nuttiness contrasts the wine's bright acidity. Pan-seared scallops with a citrus beurre blanc, matching the lime zest character.

What sizes does Barnard Griffin Riesling come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Barnard Griffin Riesling worth the price? It positions as a value-tier Washington Riesling that consistently punches above its weight — the 91-point Wine Enthusiast score and Wine Spectator Top 100 recognition are unusual accolades for wines in this price bracket, and the old-vine sourcing adds a layer of quality rarely found among everyday Rieslings.

Why Barnard Griffin Riesling?

What separates this wine from the broader field of Washington Rieslings is Bacchus Vineyard. Vines planted over fifty years ago produce smaller yields with greater concentration, and that old-vine depth shows up as a distinctive saline minerality and textural weight that younger-vine Rieslings rarely achieve. Cool stainless-steel fermentation with zero malolactic influence keeps the fruit honest — peach, apricot, and citrus arrive without the waxy or buttery overtones that can creep into warmer-climate whites. The result is a wine recognized by both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast as a standout in its category, delivering a level of site-specific character that makes it one of the most compelling Rieslings in the Columbia Valley.