Columbia Winery Red Willow Syrah

Columbia Winery Red Willow Syrah is a single-vineyard Yakima Valley Syrah bottled at approximately 13–14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from Red Willow Vineyard — the birthplace of Washington State Syrah — this wine earned 88 points from Wine Enthusiast on its 2018 vintage, reinforcing its reputation as a benchmark expression of the varietal in the Pacific Northwest.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13–14% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: Yakima Valley AVA, Washington State  |  Varietal: 100% Syrah  |  Winery: Columbia Winery

Production & Heritage

Columbia Winery has long been one of Washington's most historically significant producers. The Red Willow Syrah draws its fruit exclusively from Red Willow Vineyard, where the very first Syrah block in Washington State was planted in 1986. That planting proved so consequential that an estimated 80 percent of all Syrah vines in Washington can be traced back to cuttings from this single vineyard. Master of Wine David Lake, Columbia's longtime winemaker, selected the site because its hot, steep, south-facing slopes reminded him of the renowned La Chapelle vineyard in Hermitage belonging to Jaboulet — an apt comparison for a vineyard that would become the mother of Washington Syrah.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep violets and black cherry rise first, followed by layers of toasted marshmallow and whipped espresso. A faint savory undercurrent — smoky, almost bacon-like — adds complexity alongside cedar and a whisper of black pepper.

Taste: The entry is plush and fruit-forward, with ripe black plum and raspberry dominating the early palate. Mid-palate, the wine shifts toward darker tones of licorice, black olive tapenade, and ground coffee, with peppery spice threading through. The tannin structure is smooth and well-integrated, giving the wine an elegant, medium-bodied frame rather than an overly extracted feel.

Finish: Long and luscious, the finish lingers on black plum and warm baking spice. A gentle floral echo of violet persists, keeping the close refined rather than heavy.

How to Drink Red Willow Syrah

This Syrah rewards most when served at cellar temperature — around 60–65°F — in a large-bowled glass that lets its aromatic complexity unfold. It drinks beautifully on its own and does not need decanting in younger vintages, though older bottles may benefit from 30 minutes of air.

• Braised Short Rib Pairing: The wine's plush fruit and savory depth mirror the rich, caramelized flavors of slow-cooked beef.
• Charcuterie Board: Smoky cured meats and aged cheeses amplify the wine's bacon-like savory notes and earthy undertones.
• Grilled Lamb Chops with Herbs: The peppery spice and violet aromatics in the Syrah complement rosemary- and thyme-crusted lamb beautifully.

Best For

• Wine enthusiasts exploring the origins of Washington State Syrah
• Gifting to someone who appreciates single-vineyard, terroir-driven wines
• Pairing with a hearty winter dinner of braised or grilled red meats
• Building a cellar of benchmark Pacific Northwest reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Red Willow Syrah taste like? It leads with ripe black plum and black cherry, developing into licorice, coffee, and black olive tapenade at mid-palate, finishing long with warm spice and lingering violet florals.

How does Red Willow Syrah compare to Columbia Crest Reserve Syrah? Both are Washington State Syrahs in a similar price range, but Red Willow Syrah is a single-vineyard wine sourced from the historically significant first Syrah planting in the state, giving it a more site-specific character. Columbia Crest Reserve Syrah tends to draw from broader Columbia Valley fruit and often shows a riper, more extracted profile.

Is Red Willow Syrah good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balanced structure, smooth tannins, and layered aromatics make it an excellent wine for drinking by itself at cellar temperature, especially for those who enjoy Old World-leaning, medium-bodied Syrah.

Where is Red Willow Syrah made? Columbia Winery produces this wine from 100% Syrah grapes grown at Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington State. The vineyard's steep, south-facing slopes were specifically chosen for their resemblance to top Rhône Valley sites in France.

What foods pair well with Red Willow Syrah? Braised short ribs complement the wine's plush dark fruit; grilled lamb with rosemary echoes its peppery spice; aged Gouda or Gruyère match its savory depth; mushroom risotto mirrors its earthy undertones; and charcuterie boards highlight the smoky, cured-meat notes in its aroma.

What sizes does Red Willow Syrah come in? Columbia Winery Red Willow Syrah is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Red Willow Syrah worth the price? Red Willow Syrah positions as a mid-range, single-vineyard Washington Syrah, and its pedigree — fruit from the original mother vineyard of all Washington Syrah — along with an 88-point Wine Enthusiast rating on the 2018 vintage, represents strong value for a wine with this level of provenance and complexity.

Why Red Willow Syrah?

Few wines in Washington State carry the historical weight of this bottling. Red Willow Vineyard's 1986 Syrah planting is literally the genetic origin point for approximately 80 percent of the state's Syrah vines — a claim no other Washington vineyard can make. The wine itself reflects that heritage: site-specific, elegantly structured, and more reminiscent of northern Rhône restraint than the fruit-bomb style common in the region. For anyone serious about understanding Washington Syrah at its source, this is an essential bottle.