Wine Press Northwest lauds Maryhill's award-winning wines, impressive 10-year growth

GOLDENDALE, Wash., March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Commemorating its 10th harvest in 2009, Maryhill Winery now has another achievement to celebrate - earning the distinction of "Washington Winery of the Year" by Wine Press Northwest in the magazine's Spring 2009 issue. Wine Press Northwest selected Maryhill among the state's more than 600 wine producers, citing the winery's superior, award-winning wines and tremendous growth from a modest 4,300 case production in 1999 to more than 80,000 cases today as key factors for its decision.

"We are incredibly proud of this honor as it signifies the culmination of 10 years of hard work and dedication realizing our dream for Maryhill," says Craig Leuthold, founder of Maryhill Winery. "We set out to create a premier destination winery that showcases the best varietal wines Washington state can offer and this recognition gives us even greater inspiration as we head into our 10th harvest in 2009."

The "Washington Winery of the Year" honor comes on the heels of a banner year of awards and accolades for Maryhill Winery, including two prestigious Platinum awards in Wine Press Northwest's 2008 Platinum Judging competition. Maryhill's 2005 Cabernet Franc scored the highly-coveted Double Platinum award, and Maryhill's 2005 Proprietor's Reserve Malbec received Platinum recognition.

"Our success is a combination of amazing grapes sourced from the finest vineyards in the state, an amazing location in the breathtakingly-beautiful Columbia Gorge wine country, and the amazing people who have helped make Maryhill what it is today," added Leuthold. "Our anniversary year is a major milestone for Maryhill, including the release of our first-ever Port, new facilities for weddings and events, and our hottest summer concert line up ever. The best is yet to come."

Perched on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River and majestic Mt. Hood, Maryhill Winery is a breathtakingly beautiful place to visit. The winery's annual "Spring Release" weekend March 21-22, 2009 provides a perfect opportunity to try Maryhill's first-ever 2006 Port, 2006 Classic Cabernet Franc, 2006 Reserve Malbec and 2006 Reserve Grenache. Free and open to the public, the weekend includes case discounts and live music by the Ben Macy Trio (Saturday) and Kit Garoutte (Sunday). Barbeque from Nora's Table will be available for purchase on the winery's arbor - the perfect place to bask in the spring sunshine and savor dramatic views of the Columbia River and Mt. Hood.

About Maryhill Winery

Established in 1999 by Craig and Vicki Leuthold, Maryhill Winery is the 15th largest winery in Washington state, producing 80,000 cases annually. Nestled among rows of vines along the stunning Columbia River in Goldendale, Wash., Maryhill is a popular destination for picnics, weddings and special events, with an adjacent 4,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre that hosts a world-class summer concert series. Maryhill's 3,000 sq. ft. tasting room draws more than 75,000 wine enthusiasts from around the globe each year, ranking among the top five most visited wineries in the state. Maryhill sources grapes from some of the most highly-regarded vineyards in the state to produce 19 varietals and 27 award-winning wines.

SOURCE Maryhill Winery