We had predicted at the beginning of this year that we would see an increase in both the quality and popularity of the wines of Washington State, and this is indeed becoming the case.  Perhaps the most exciting producer we've come across this year is Abeja Winery, located in the state's Walla Walla wine region.  The winery was founded almost ten years ago by winemaker John Abbott and partner Ken Harrison, and "has rapidly become known for extraordinary, limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Chardonnay, Viognier, and Syrah." Abbott had previously made wine at several prestigious California wineries such as Pine Ridge and Acacia; when he relocated to Washington to run Canoe Ridge Vineyard, he became...   Read more