Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling

Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling is a dry, 100% Riesling from Washington's Columbia Valley AVA, bottled at 12–12.5% ABV in a 750ml format. A repeat selection on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines list — earning that distinction two years running and a "Best Value" nod five consecutive years — this remains one of the most critically recognized Rieslings produced in the United States.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12–12.5%  |  Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington  |  Dry Riesling  |  Producer: Charles Smith Wines

Production & Heritage

Charles Smith Wines was founded in 1999 in Walla Walla, Washington, by former rock band manager Charles Smith, who brought an iconoclastic approach to winemaking in the Pacific Northwest. Kung Fu Girl is sourced from Evergreen Vineyard in the Ancient Lakes AVA, a sub-appellation on the western edge of the Columbia Basin near Quincy. The vineyard's complex soils — basalt and sedimentary bedrock layered with Quincy loam and windblown loess — give the fruit a distinct mineral backbone. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks to preserve the grape's natural aromatics and acidity, resulting in a bright, unoaked expression of Washington Riesling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Honeysuckle and citrus blossom open the glass, followed by ripe peach, melon, and a thread of green fruit. The aromatics are full and enveloping without heaviness.

Taste: White peach and mandarin orange arrive immediately on the palate, joined by apricot and lychee through the mid-palate. A firm core of minerality drives the wine forward, while crisp, clean acidity keeps the riper stone-fruit flavors taut and focused. Subtle hints of honey and a faint nutty character emerge as the wine opens up.

Finish: The finish is long and vibrant, carrying lingering citrus and mineral notes. It closes fresh and precise, with enough energy to invite another sip.

How to Drink Kung Fu Girl Riesling

Serve lightly chilled to around 45–50°F; this wine is built for drinking without fuss, and a slight chill amplifies its aromatic lift and acidity. A Spicy Thai Basil Cocktail riff using Riesling as a base plays well with the wine's natural lychee and citrus character. A classic White Wine Spritzer — Kung Fu Girl, soda water, a twist of lime — makes an excellent warm-weather serve that highlights the wine's brightness. For a more structured drink, try it in a Riesling Sangria with sliced peach, mandarin, and fresh mint, which mirrors the wine's own fruit profile.

Best For

• Introducing a Riesling skeptic to the varietal's dry, mineral-driven side
• Weeknight dinners featuring Southeast Asian or spicy cuisine
• Stocking a versatile house white at a serious quality-to-value ratio
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing bottle to a casual gathering or potluck

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kung Fu Girl Riesling taste like? Kung Fu Girl is a dry Riesling dominated by white peach, mandarin orange, and apricot, underpinned by bright acidity and a pronounced mineral streak from its Ancient Lakes AVA vineyard source.

How does Kung Fu Girl compare to Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling? Both are dry Washington Rieslings, but Kung Fu Girl draws from a single AVA (Ancient Lakes) and tends to show more overt minerality and exotic fruit character, while Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling is sourced more broadly from the Columbia Valley and often presents a softer, more approachable profile at a similar price point.

Is Kung Fu Girl good for beginners? Its clean acidity, approachable fruit-forward palate, and dry style make it an excellent entry point for anyone new to Riesling or looking to explore Washington State wines without a steep investment.

Where is Kung Fu Girl made? Kung Fu Girl is produced by Charles Smith Wines, based in Walla Walla, Washington, using 100% Riesling grapes grown at Evergreen Vineyard in the Ancient Lakes AVA on the western edge of the Columbia Basin.

What foods pair well with Kung Fu Girl? Thai green curry — the wine's acidity and stone fruit cut through coconut-rich heat. Seared scallops — minerality and citrus complement the shellfish's sweetness. Pork banh mi — the bright acidity balances pickled vegetables and rich pâté. Sushi and sashimi — clean, dry fruit enhances raw fish without overwhelming it. Aged Gruyère — the wine's hint of honey and nutty character echoes the cheese.

What sizes does Kung Fu Girl come in? Kung Fu Girl Riesling is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Kung Fu Girl worth the price? Kung Fu Girl positions squarely in the value tier, yet consistently earns scores of 89–91 points from Wine Enthusiast and 90 points from Wine Spectator — performance that outpaces many wines at twice its price bracket, which is precisely why it has earned five consecutive "Best Value" recognitions from Wine Spectator.

Why Kung Fu Girl?

Few sub-$15 wines anywhere in the world have matched Kung Fu Girl's track record of critical recognition: repeated Wine Spectator Top 100 selections, a 90-point score from that same publication, and five straight years as a "Best Value" pick. That consistency starts in the vineyard — specifically, the basalt-rich soils and cool-climate conditions of Evergreen Vineyard in the Ancient Lakes AVA, one of Washington's most distinctive Riesling sites. Stainless steel fermentation preserves every ounce of that terroir, delivering a wine that is simultaneously mineral, aromatic, and refreshing. In a category crowded with sweet, indistinct Rieslings, Kung Fu Girl stands as proof that dry American Riesling can compete on a global stage.