Coming Soon! Co-op Wines, A Toast to Home
By Nicole Noteboom, Marketing & Outreach Director
When I think about preserving farmland, I think about the view off my back porch—a potato field currently in rotation with some sort of brassica. I think of my drive into the Co-op, waving at farmers biking into Viva, other farmers hand-picking their harvest in the rain, passing slow-going tractors, rolling my windows down to marvel at the rows of daffs or tulips, depending on the year. I think of Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland and all the work they have done, along with countless others, to protect this place we call home. Spuds, buds, Brussels, and a pace of living I don’t think I can ever give up.
Winemaker Megan Hughes
What doesn’t come to mind are the bottles of wine atop my fridge. And yet, Washington is home to some of the best vineyards in the world—not in my back yard, but still in our neck of the woods. I am sure there is some controversy about growing grapes instead of food, like growing lawns instead of gardens, but it’s safe to surmise, that across the Cascades life is not so different, and there are people passionate about preserving their own slice of heaven—land well-suited for vineyards, a robust wine economy, and local businesses.
So, when our friends at Barnard Griffin presented us with the opportunity to partner on an exclusive wine selection, it was an easy decision. Founded by Rob Griffin and his wife Deborah Barnard in 1983, Barnard Griffin is one of the oldest and largest family-owned and operated wineries in Washington. In fact, in 2016 Rob celebrated his 40th harvest in Washington and became the longest tenured winemaker in state history. The two share a dream of making world-class wines that speak to the Columbia Valley and a desire to uphold Washington wineries.
Riverbend Red & Valley Rosé coming soon!
Barnard Griffin relies heavily on several vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley to craft their wines. Rob likes to think of the partner vineyards as a winemaker’s spice cabinet and says, “Blending lots from different sites always seemed the best course of action to me; like having an entire spice rack in your arsenal rather than one consisting of solely cumin and cinnamon. This line of thought has worked well for Barnard Griffin—allowing our wines to have a sense of place—distinctly Washington, while leaving room for us to blend consistent, award-winning wine, year after year.”
Rob and Deborah’s daughter, Megan Hughes is carrying on the family tradition as a second-generation winemaker at Barnard Griffin. Washington woman-winemaker—a wonderful whoosh of words, perhaps only surpassed by an actual splash in the glass of the wine itself, or the percussive pop of uncorking that bottle you’ve been saving for something special. And these wines are special.
We’re excited to bring you two new signature wines with gorgeous label art designed by Co-op Graphic Designer Megan Young, and named for our place, the Skagit River Valley: Riverbend Red and Valley Rosé. These wines will be arriving in February, just in time to gift or glug in the name of love!
Meet Our New Co-op Wines
In the meantime, we asked Barnard Griffin’s Megan Hughes to share about her wine creations:
Riverbend Red (2023) is a six-vineyard red blend. Her goal here was to make a style that sits beautifully between everyday drinkability and thoughtful craftsmanship. Its medium-bodied, fruit-forward style makes it approachable and crowd-pleasing. Grapes are sourced from all over the Columbia Valley, using sources they are deeply familiar with. The blend leads with Cabernet with some Merlot, Malbec and Syrah blended in to add layers and complexity.
Tasting notes: ripe plum and cherry flavors with subtle spice, gentle tannins, and balanced acidity.
Valley Rosé (2024) is a Sangiovese rosé made by pressing the red Sangiovese grape immediately after harvest. The grapes come from Balcom and Moe vineyard with a Geneva double curtain growing technique. This way of farming gives a healthy amount of shade to the grape, allowing Barnard Griffin to maximize acidity without affecting color. Barnard Griffin and Balcom and Moe have worked together for around four decades. The rosé pairs with almost any food imaginable and is also great by itself. Megan reaches for this rosé when she’s a guest because she knows it’s going to complement a wide array of foods, seafood and veggies especially.
Tasting notes: strawberry, watermelon rind, refreshing acid.
Two new wines that speak to the places we love, crafted with care. Now, when I sit on my back porch soaking in the scenery with a healthy pour in hand, I’ll think of the land and livelihoods we’re all working to preserve and raise my glass with a simple toast: to home.