
Château Ste. Michelle

Chateau Ste. Michelle –
Pioneers of the Columbia Valley
Founded in 1933, Château Ste. Michelle is the oldest winery in Washington state. What began as a small house in the Pacific Northwest is now one of the most important wine companies in the USA – with 2,200 hectares of vineyards in Washington and Oregon and a portfolio ranging from approachable everyday wines to serious single-vineyard wines.
The heart of the region is the Columbia Valley : a continental climate with long, sunny summer days, cool nights, and low rainfall. These conditions favor slow, even ripening – Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot develop dark fruit and firm structure, while Riesling and Chardonnay retain their freshness and vibrancy. The soils, mostly sandy loess deposits over basalt, impart a distinctive mineral character to the wines.
The group of companies includes well-known names such as Columbia Crest, 14 Hands, and the Riesling project Eroica, which was created in collaboration with Ernst Loosen from the Mosel region. Sustainable management is not just a marketing promise, but has been standard practice for decades – from water use in the arid highlands to the preservation of natural habitats along the vineyard rows.








