Press
2020 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year
“The winery of the year is selected based on longevity, quality, reputation, industry involvement, facilities and other considerations.” -Wine Press Northwest. A winery can only win this award once in the lifetime of the winery. Any of the 2,000+ wineries in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia) are candidates for this honor provided they have not previously earned the distinction.
The prestige of this award is best illustrated by the honor roll of producers that have been selected:
2020: Clearwater Canyon Cellars, Lewiston, Idaho
2019: Palencia Wine Co., Kennewick, Wash.
2018: Long Shadows Vintners, Walla Walla, Wash.
2017: Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards, Roseburg, Ore.
2016: Walla Walla Vintners, Walla Walla, Wash
2015: Maryhill Winery, Goldendale, Wash.
2014: Stoller Family Estate, Dayton, Ore.
2013: Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, Wash.
2012: Thurston Wolfe Winery, Prosser, Wash.
2011: Zerba Cellars, Milton-Freewater, Ore.
2010: Vin du Lac, Chelan, Wash.
2009: Wild Goose Vineyards, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia
2008: Dunham Cellars, Walla Walla, Wash.
2007: Elk Cove Vineyards, Gaston, Ore.
2006: Barnard Griffin, Richland, Wash.
2005: Ken Wright Cellars, Carlton, Ore.
2004: L’Ecole No. 41, Lowden, Wash.
2003: Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, Summerland, British Columbia
2002: Columbia Crest, Paterson, Wash.
Thank you to all of our Enthusiast Club Members near and far! Your support made it possible for us to earn the distinction of Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year. We share this honor with all of our grape growers. It is their hard work that allows us to make great wines. We are also honored to bring this award home to the Lewis-Clark Valley wine industry.
2015 Idaho Winery of the Year
Thank you to all our growers and wine lovers here in the valley for helping us be honored by Wine Press Northwest as 2015 Idaho Winery of the Year! Your support makes all the hard work worth it.
WSU Alumni Achievement Award
The Washington State University Alumni Association must appreciate a good glass of wine! Nicole “Coco” Umiker, co-owner and wine maker at Clearwater Canyon Cellars was honored for her nearly two decades of winemaking success in the Lewis-Clark Valley. She was honored for being part of bringing the Lewis-Clark Valley winemaking industry back to life.
Lewis-Clark Valley AVA Acceptance
Our beloved Lewis-Clark Valley is now an American Viticultural Area! What is an AVA? It’s a designation that allows us to put "Lewis-Clark Valley" on our labels, signaling that the valley is a recognized producer of wine from grapes grown here in our area. The quality of life and culture of our community will thrive as our wine industry grows here. This has been proven in similar communities here in the Northwest. This new chapter in our region beholds many wonderful and delicious opportunities. It only took 7 years, but we did it! We are now planted in the Lewis-Clark Valley American Viticultural Area.
Idaho Century Farm Designation
The Nichols Family Farm, the fruitful vineyard that makes Clearwater Canyon Cellars possible, was named an official Idaho Century Farm in 2016 by the Idaho Historical Society. The land was originally owned by Coco Umiker’s late grandfather, Ralph E. Nichols.
Surviving Ovarian Cancer at Age 11
Coco Umiker, our fearless and passionate winemaker, has released numerous hits with wines going gold and platinum at major West Coast competitions. Since surviving ovarian cancer as a pre-teen, Umiker has gone on to become part of the wine world through her education and – along with her husband, Karl – establishing Clearwater Canyon Cellars and a reputation for creating award-winning wines.
Recipient of 41 Platinum Awards
Accolades
ALBARIÑO
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2017 Albariño
Gold, Sip Northwest 'Best of the Northwest'
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2018 Albariño
Judge's Pick, Sip Northwest 'Best of the Northwest'
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2019 Albariño
Platinum, Best of Class, Sip Northwest 'Best of the Northwest'
Gold, Great Northwest Invitational
Double Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging -
2020 Albariño
Double Gold, American Fine Wine Invitational
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2021 Albariño
Double Platinum & Top White, Great Northwest Wine Platinum Judging
Double Gold & Best of Class & Top White & Best of Show, Great Northwest Invitational
Gold, Sip Northwest 'Best of the Northwest'
Gold, American Fine Wine Invitational -
2022 Albariño
Gold, Pacific Northwest Wine Competition
ESTATE SYRAH
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2012 Estate Syrah
Gold, Idaho Wine Competition
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2013 Estate Syrah
#61, Great Northwest Wine's 'Top 100 Wines of 2015'
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2014 Estate Syrah
Silver, TEXSOM International Wine Awards
91 Points, Tasting Panel Magazine
Outstanding!, Great Northwest Wine
19/20, Rand Sealey's Review of Washington Wines
Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging
Double Gold, Idaho Wine Competition -
2016 Estate Syrah
Double Gold & 95 pts, SavorNW Wine Awards
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2017 Estate Syrah
Judges' Selection Medal/Best Other US State Red, TEXSOM International Wine Awards
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2018 Estate Syrah
Gold, Idaho Wine Competition
Double Gold & 94 pts, SavorNW Wine Awards
Double Gold & Best of Class, San Francisco Chronicle -
2019 Estate Syrah
Platinum, Great Northwest Annual Platinum Judging
Double Gold, Cascadia International Wine Competition -
2020 Estate Syrah
Double Gold, Sip Northwest 'Best of the Northwest'
RENAISSANCE RED
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2012 Renaissance Red
Gold, Idaho Wine Competition
Gold, Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition -
2016 Renaissance Red
Gold, Cascadia International Wine Competition
Gold & Best of Class, Idaho Wine Competition
Gold, Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition
Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging -
2017 Renaissance Red
Double Gold & Best of Class & 96 pnts, SavorNW Wine Awards
Gold, Finger Lakes Wine & Spirits Competition
Double Gold, Cascadia International Wine Competition
Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging -
2018 Renaissance Red
Double Platinum, Great Northwest Platinum Judging
Gold & 90 pts, SavorNW Wine Awards -
2019 Renaissance Red
Double Platinum, Great Northwest Platinum Judging
Gold, Great Northwest Wine Invitational -
2020 Renaissance Red
Platinum, Great Northwest Wine Platinum Judging
Double Gold & Best Red, Bellingham Northwest Wine Competition -
2021 Renaissance Red
Gold, Cascadia International Wine Competition
MERLOT
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2012 Merlot
Double Platinum & Best Merlot, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging
Double Gold, Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition
#23, Great Northwest Wine's 'Top 100 Wines of 2014' -
2014 Merlot
Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging
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2015 Merlot
Double Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
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2016 Merlot
Judges' Pick, Sip Northwest 'Best of the Northwest'
Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition -
2017 Merlot
Gold, Great Northwest Invitational Competition
Double Gold, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging
Gold, Finger Lakes Int'l Wine Competition -
2018 Merlot
Platinum, Great Northwest Platinum Judging
Double Gold & Best Of Class, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Gold, Cascadia Int'l Wine Competition
Gold, Sunset Int'l Wine Competition -
2019 Merlot
Gold, Dan Berger Wine Competition
LOUIS DELSOL CABERNET SAUVIGNON
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2016 Louis Delsol Cabernet Sauvignon
Gold & Best of Class, Idaho Wine Competition
Gold, Dan Berger International Wine Competition
Double Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging -
2017 Louis Delsol Cabernet Sauvignon
Gold, Great Northwest Invitational Competition
Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging -
2018 Louis Delsol Cabernet Sauvignon
Platinum, Great Northwest Platinum Judging
Double Gold, American Fine Wine Invitational
Double Gold, Great Northwest Invitational
Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition -
2019 Louis Delsol Cabernet Sauvignon
Double Gold & Best of Class, Idaho Wine Competition
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2020 Louis Delsol Cabernet Sauvignon
Platinum, Great Northwest Platinum Judging
Gold, Bellingham Northwest Wine Competition -
2021 Louis Delsol Cabernet Sauvignon
Double Gold, Pacific Northwest Wine Competition
MALBEC & RESERVE MALBEC
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2014 Malbec
Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging
Gold, Great Northwest Invitational Competition
Outstanding!, Great Northwest Wine Review -
2014 Coco's Reserve Malbec
19/20, Rand Sealy's Review of Washington Wine
Outstanding!, Great Northwest Wine Review -
2015 Malbec
18.5/20 pts, Rand Sealey's Review of Washington Wines
Gold & 91 pts, SavorNW Wine Awards -
2016 Malbec
Judge's Pick, Sip Northwest 'Best of the Northwest'
Double Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
18.5+/20, Rand Sealey's Review of Washington Wines
#12, Seattle Times Top 50 Wines of 2018
Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging -
2017 Malbec
Double Gold & Best of Class, Great Northwest Invitational Competition
Double Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Double Gold & 96 pts, SavorNW Wine Awards
Double Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging -
2018 Malbec
Gold, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
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2019 Malbec
Double Gold, Great Northwest Wine Invitational
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2020 Malbec
Gold, San Francisco Chronical Wine Competition
THE WINE PROJECT
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2016 The Wine Project
Gold & Best Petit Verdot Blend, Cascadia Int'l Wine Competition
19/20, Rand Sealy's Review of Washington Wine -
2017 The Wine Project
Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold & 91 pts, SavorNW Wine Awards -
2018 The Wine Project
Double Platinum, Great Northwest Platinum Judging
Gold & 91 pts, SavorNW Wine Awards -
2019 The Wine Project
Gold, SavorNW Wine Awards
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2020 The Wine Project
Gold, Great Northwest Wine Invitational
Double Gold, Cascadia International Wine Competition
CARMENÈRE & RESERVE CARMENÈRE
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2010 Carmenère
Gold, Great Northwest Wine Competition
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2011 Carmenère
Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging
#84, Great Northwest Wine's 'Top 100 Wines of 2013'
Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold, Idaho Wine Competition -
2012 Carmenère
Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging
Gold, Idaho Wine Competition
Gold, Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition
#24, The Seattle Times 'Top 50 Regional Wines of 2014' -
2013 Carmenère
Double Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging
Gold, Idaho Wine Competition -
2014 Carmenère
Double Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging
Double Gold, Idaho Wine Competition
#11, The Seattle Times 'Top 50 Regional Wines of 2016'
Double Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition -
2015 Carmenère
Double Gold, Idaho Wine Competition
Double Gold, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging -
2016 Carmenère
Platinum, Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging
Gold, SavorNW Wine Awards
19/20, Rand Sealey's Review of Washington Wines
Gold, Cascadia International Wine Competition -
2017 Carmenère
Double Platinum, Wine Press Northwest Annual Platinum Judging '20
Platinum, Wine Press Northwest Annual Platinum Judging '19
#3, The Seattle Times 'Top 25 Regional Wines of 2019'
19/20, Rand Sealy's Review of Washington Wine
Double Gold, Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition
Gold, San Francisco International Wine Competition
Gold & Best of Class, Cascadia Int'l Wine Competition -
2018 Carmenère
Platinum, Wine Press Northwest Annual Platinum Judging
19/20, Rand Sealy's Review of Washington Wine
Gold, Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition
Gold & Best of Class & Best Red Wine, Cascadia Int'l Wine Competition
Gold, American Fine Wine Invitational -
2019 Carmenère
Platinum, Great Northwest Wine Platinum Judging
Double Gold & Best of Class, Great Northwest Wine Invitational
Gold, San Francisco International Wine Competition -
2019 Coco's Reserve Carmenère
Platinum, Great Northwest Wine Annual Platinum Judging
Double Gold, Great Northwest Wine Invitational -
2020 Carmenère
Gold, Sunset Magazine Wine Competition
Gold, Idaho Wine Competition
SELWAY
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2010 Selway
Double Gold, Wine Press Northwest Annual Platinum Judging
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2013 Selway
Platinum, Wine Press Northwest Annual Platinum Judging
Double Gold & 97 pts, San Francisco International Wine Competition
19/20, Rand Sealey's Review of Washington Wines -
2014 Selway
Platinum, Wine Press Northwest Annual Platinum Judging
Double Gold, Cascadia International Wine Competition
19/20, Rand Sealy's Review of Washington Wine -
2017 Selway
Double Platinum, Wine Press Northwest Annual Platinum Judging
Gold, Idaho Wine Competition
19+/20, Rand Sealy's Review of Washington Wine -
2018 Selway
Gold, Cascadia International Wine Competition
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2019 Selway
Gold, Idaho Wine Competition
PETITE SIRAH & RESERVE PETITE SIRAH
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2014 Petite Sirah
Platinum, Wine Press Northwest Annual Platinum Judging
Gold, Cascadia Wine Competition -
2015 Petite Sirah
Gold, Sip Northwest 'Best of the Northwest'
Platinum, Wine Press Northwest Annual Platinum Judging -
2018 Coco's Reserve Petite Sirah
Gold, Idaho Wine Competition
Platinum, Wine Press Northwest Annual Platinum Judging -
2019 Coco's Reserve Petite Sirah
Platinum, Great Northwest Wine Platinum Judging
Gold & Best of Class, Great Northwest Invitational
LOCHSA CHARDONNAY
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2017 Lochsa Chardonnay
Double Gold & Best Chardonnay, Cascadia International Wine Competition
Outstanding!, Great Northwest Wine Reviews
#15, Seattle Times to Wines of 2018 Under $30 -
2018 Lochsa Chardonnay
3rd Place Overall, Sip Northwest 'Best of the Northwest'
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2019 Lochsa Chardonnay
Gold & 91 pts, SavorNW Wine Awards
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2020 Lochsa
Gold, American Fine Wine Invitational
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2021 Lochsa Chardonnay
Platinum, Great Northwest Platinum Judging
Gold, Bellingham Northwest Wine Competition
NON-VINTAGE WAHA
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Non-Vintage Waha II
Platinum, Great Northwest Wine Annual Platinum Judging
Gold, Idaho Wine Competition
Gold, San Francisco Chronical Wine Competition
OTHER RESERVES & SPECIALTY WINES
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2016 Coco's Reserve Blend No. 5
Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold, Savor Northwest Wine Awards -
2018 Coco's Reserve Spice Market
Double Platinum, Great Northwest Wine Annual Platinum Judging
Gold, American Fine Wine Invitational -
2019 Coco's Reserve Blend No. 5
Double Gold, San Francisco Chronical Wine Competition
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2019 Coco's Reserve Rock n'J Blend
Gold, Cascadia International Wine Competition
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2020 Century Farm Cabernet franc
Gold, San Francisco Chronical Wine Competition
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2021 Coco's Reserve Spice Market
Gold, Pacific Northwest Wine Competition
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2021 Umiker Estate Reserve
Double Gold, Pacific Northwest Wine Competition