Winemaker of the Year: Top Washington Winery Wins at International Tasting Competition

GOLDENDALE, Wash., Aug. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Announced by the Indy International Wine Competition earlier this week, Richard Batchelor from Maryhill Winery, a top Washington winery located along the Columbia River Gorge, was honored as the organization's 2013 Winemaker of the Year. The prestigious trophy is awarded each year to the winery and winemaker that win the most gold medals by brand at the competition. This year, Maryhill's award-winning Washington wines took home 27 medals, including eight gold, 12 silver and three bronze, as well as the following top honors:

• Best of Class, 2010 Cabernet Franc
• Best of Class, 2010 Les Collines Syrah*
• Double Gold, 2010 Barbera
• Double Gold, 2010 Sugarloaf Vineyards Mourvedre*
  * Designates wine club-only wines

"This has been a standout year for our wines, and we're extremely proud of the new blends and single-vineyard wines our team has released," said Craig Leuthold, owner of Maryhill Winery with his wife, Vicki. "Since we opened in 2001, we've worked tirelessly to create beautifully balanced, complex, and affordable wines, so it's an honor to have our wines come out on top at an international competition."

The 2013 Indy International Wine Competition at Perdue University, now in its 21^st year, judged more than 2,300 wines from 39 states and 14 countries, including France, Australia, Chile and Greece. Wines were evaluated on appearance, aroma, taste, and finish by 44 international judges, responsible for awarding the category medals and competition trophies.

"I've worked with many different varietals and blends, both in my native New Zealand and Napa Valley, and am constantly impressed by the quality and diversity of grapes we have to work with here in Washington state," said Batchelor. "We're in an incredibly unique position, being able to create nearly 40 top-quality wines from grapes grown within a single region, and it's beyond rewarding to have our efforts and accomplishments recognized by international judges."

For more details on Maryhill Winery, its winemaker, diverse portfolio of nearly 40 wines, or growing list of accolades, please visit www.maryhillwinery.com.

About Maryhill Winery
Established in 1999 by Craig and Vicki Leuthold, Maryhill Winery is the 10^th largest winery in Washington state and produces 80,000 cases annually.  Nestled among rows of vines along the stunning Columbia River in Goldendale, Wash., Maryhill is a popular destination for wine tastings, tours and special events, with an adjacent 4,000-seat outdoor amphitheater that hosts a world-class summer concert series and free live music on the vine-covered terrace every weekend (Memorial Day – September). Maryhill's 3,000 sq. ft. tasting room and newly opened 1,200 sq. ft. Reserve Room draw more than 80,000 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, producing nearly 40 wines, and has claimed more than 1,500 awards since its first vintage in 2001.  

SOURCE Maryhill Winery