Tasting Report: Wines of Evergreen Family Wines, 2026
Eastern Washington’s soils arrived courtesy of Ice Age floods so large, the region has spent the intervening millennia recovering. Evergreen Family Wines, one of the largest family-owned operations, has planted more than 3,000 acres of vines across the Wahluke Slope and Ancient Lakes, making wines under the Milbrandt Vineyards, Ryan Patrick and, lately, Luke labels. The portfolio is expansive and diverse, and today we are only skimming the surface of what’s on offer from this winery.
2023 Alki Chardonnay – Pale gold in the glass, with lemon zest, Granny Smith, and Bosc pear doing the aromatic heavy lifting. The palate turns slightly creamy, saved from heaviness by good acidity as the green apple takes charge on the finish. It’s well-balanced throughout and nothing really too showy. Just unpretentious competence that makes it a smart candidate as a holiday housewarming gift that doesn’t break the bank. B+ / $20
2022 Real Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley AVA – The wine noses with currant and blackberry notes, but there’s nothing moody or heavy-handed about it. Give it time and the dark fruit softens, leaving space for floral aromas that arrive when the wine needs them most. However, the palate returns to dark fruit with turned earth and pencil lending a nice edge before violet and plum emerge on the finish to round things out. One could very well do far worse at this price point. B+ / $20
2025 Charles and Blossom Fury Riesling Columbia Valley AVA – Sweet but not cloying, Charles and Blossom flaunt pronounced layers of red apple, peach and gentle white flowers, propping up light minerality towards the finish. Stone fruit dominates the conversation on the finish, though good acidity and that same mineral thread rein it in before things become overindulgent. B / $18
2025 SEX Rosé of Pinot Noir Columbia Valley AVA – While the name of the wine is rather blunt and quite possibly designed for bachelorette parties where “naughty” is the objective of the evening, the plot twist is that it arrives in the glass rather softly, with an expressive layer of lilac followed by passionfruit and peach. There’s a light layer of minerality on the finish, which dries rather quickly and leaves the floral note to fade on its own. TV and film’s Moira Rose said it best: you’ll remember the experience, and you’ll remember the name. B / $18
2022 Real Wine Chardonnay Columbia Valley AVA – Tangerine, melon, and lemon zest meld nicely, with layers of pear and toasted brioche easing in behind them. Nothing too complicated here: just an easy, approachable wine suitable for an opening course or appetizers. The tangerine sticks around longer than anticipated, complemented by the brioche and a touch of white flower on the finish. Somehow, despite all of the lingering fruit, it finishes on a crisp and clean high note. B / $20
2024 Luke Sauvignon Blanc – Grass clippings lead on the nose, with lemon peel following behind and a faint hint of pineapple emerging as it warms in the glass. On the palate, bright acidity crackles with lemon and lime zest, with guava appearing briefly and receding just as quickly. The body stays almost weightless, floating along until the finish cuts off sooner than expected. It’s a lively, refreshing sipper opting for zip over complexity. Best paired with a soft cheese, a big plate of Thai cuisine, or a quiet afternoon on the porch. B+ / $21
2025 Caliche Albarino Columbia Valley AVA – Mild but approachable, with a gentle mix of guava, green tea and gardenias on the nose, layered with lemon zest and Granny Smith apple on the palate. The floral notes stick around the longest, tempered by a layer of minerality on the finish. It’s easygoing and more than acceptable at this asking price, and a plate of spring rolls benefits both partners in the pairing. A- / $20
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