Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim Winemakers was established in 1992 in Washington’s Columbia Valley, specializing in Riesling from dry to sweet styles alongside aromatic whites including Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, and Grüner Veltliner from Horse Heaven Hills and Yakima Valley.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Washington State Riesling different from German or Alsatian Riesling?

Washington’s Columbia Valley has a semi-arid, continental climate with significant day-night temperature variation during the growing season — cool nights preserve natural acidity while warm days ripen the grape fully. This produces Riesling with riper fruit character (more stone fruit and citrus) than German Mosel Riesling (which is cooler and produces more mineral and slate-driven profiles) but with more structural acidity than Alsatian Riesling (which tends toward richer, more phenolic dry styles). Pacific Rim’s Washington Riesling sits in a middle position — fruit-forward enough to be immediately approachable, but with the acidity to balance sweetness across the dry-to-sweet range and to age. Horse Heaven Hills and Yakima Valley, where Pacific Rim sources, are among the most reliable Riesling sub-regions in the state.

How do I choose between Pacific Rim’s dry, off-dry, and sweet Riesling styles?

Pacific Rim produces Riesling across the sweetness spectrum with clear style differentiation. The Dry Riesling has residual sugar below 10 grams per liter — the acidity dominates and the wine finishes clean, appropriate for rich fish dishes, poultry, or drinking without food. The Riesling (off-dry) has more residual sugar but is balanced by corresponding acidity, producing the classic Riesling tension between sweetness and tartness — this is the most versatile food-pairing style, working with spice, acidity, and richness in food simultaneously. The sweeter styles (late harvest and dessert) are designed specifically for pairings where the sweetness in the wine matches or exceeds the sweetness in the dish.