WELCOME TO SILVER LAKE WINES
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Founded in 1987, Silver Lake Winery is one of Washington’s landmark wineries. At Silver Lake Winery, we offer award-winning premium and super-premium wines that you can enjoy today or cellar for the future.
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We have a passion for wine and the wine lifestyle. Join us at one of our tasting rooms in Zillah, Washington. We look forward to welcoming you!
Silver Lake Winemaking Philosophy
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Silver Lake Cask Wines
Our Silver Lake ‘Cask Series’ wines are made for immediate consumption. This requires the winemaker to control the level of tannins and other compounds that usually require aging before the wine is ready. The time of skin and seed contact must be carefully monitored and the aging process must be completed with a limited amount of barrel contact. These wines are usually marketed within 12-18 months from the time of harvest and are made from grapes grown within the Rattle Snake Hills appellation.
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Silver Lake Reserve Wines
Our Silver Lake ‘Reserve Series’ wines are designed for a broader segment of the super premium market segment. In Washington State a Reserve designation means that no more than 3,000 cases or 10% of a wineries’ production as a reserve wine and indicates the winemaker’s designation of this wine as higher quality than most wines from the winery.These wines are made in the classic French style using high quality production techniques and oak barrel aging. In addition, this series includes many of the Company’s limited release or vineyard designated wines. These wines are distributed in restaurants, high-end grocery stores and wine shops primarily located in the Northwest.
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Silver Lake Wines
ROZA RIESLING
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Creamy scents of clover and honey give our Riesling a subtle richness that helps to balance the sweetness of this wine. On the palate sweet honey and candied pineapple flavors are forward and lush, while accents of pear and a touch of spice give some complexity to the sweet and almost sugary core. This an exemplary after-dinner sipper.
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SAUVIGNON BLANC
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A light, crisp and refreshing white wine with notable acidity, this wine evokes scents of grapefruit and green melon. Zesty flavors of citrus and tropical fruits are accented with a mild herbal finish. This is a very versatile food wine that can complement everything from shellfish and Caesar salad to fried chicken and aged Jarlsberg cheese.
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CHARDONNAY​
A new take on Chardonnay, this wine is fermented only in stainless steel, revealing a pure expression of the varietal, with crisp citrus flavors, lovely acidity and a silky texture. This Chardonnay is well-suited for light appetizers or as an accompaniment to virtually any fish or chicken dish. It’s a crisp, transparent straw color with a fresh pineapple aroma. Soft, pleasant and flavorful on the palate, this wine delivers a load of fruit including citrus, pineapple and apricot.
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ROZA ROSE
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Aromas of rhubarb and strawberries are experienced first from this refreshing and delightfully nuanced wine. This fruity and intriguing rose finishes dry and crisp with hints of raspberries, cherries and tangerines and lovely floral notes. It will pair well with lighter dishes, such as poultry such as roast chicken, grilled herbed salmon, and a wide variety of salads, cheeses and lighter desserts.
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CABERNET SAUVIGNON
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With hints of cherry, tobacco, pepper and chocolate, this is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon. The mouth feels full and gripping nice tannins and an extremely smooth finish. Enjoy this wonderfully full-bodied wine with meaty-tomato based pastas, lamb, steaks, or even good old fashioned cheeseburger.
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MERLOT​​
Reliable as usual. this soft cherry and vanilla flavored Merlot is pure varietal, fruity, and ready to drink immediately. The tannins are extremely light through a hint f green wood and oak sneaks into the finish. The result is an easy drinking Merlot laced with black fruit and bittersweet chocolate . Enjoy this wine with savory dishes like grilled flank steak or roasted duck.
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ROZA RED​​
Our Roza Red Blend reveals an aromatic nose of anise and dark cherries with fig, plum and smoky oak flavors on the palate. Excellent ripeness and roundness in the mouth converge into a lengthy finish in this wine. pair this full-bodied wine with grilled sirloin steak, and mushroom risotto .and for dessert try it with a rich dark chocolate bar. .
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RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON​​
Medium bodied and smooth, this wine is easy drinking and is specially blended to pair with a wide range of foods while delivering surprising complexity and richness. Our Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is cherry red in color with an aroma of chocolate, cola, and dark berry. Flavors of black cherry, chocolate and spice dominate with silky tannins on the finish.
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Winemaker – William Ammons
Mr. Ammons was raised in the Puget Sound region and attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. He has worked in all aspects of the beverage production industry producing Wine, sparkling wines, fermented fruit ciders, sparkling waters and Boutique Sodas.
1987-1988: Haviland Winery-Cellar Master under Winemakers Lou Facelli and Anne Rafetto. 1988-2004 Cider Maker for Spire Mountain Ciders. Produced up to 30,000cs of naturally fermented fruit ciders. Cellar Master-Assistant Winemaker from 1988-2000 under Brian Carter, Peter Bos and Cheryl Barber-Jones for Silver Lake winery. Associate Winemaker for Silver Lake from 2000 to August 2004. Named Winemaker for Silver Lake and Glen Fiona wineries in August of 2004.
About The Rattlesnake Hills AVA
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The Cascade Range, rising to about 6,000 feet in elevation, runs north to south and divides eastern and western Washington State. The high Cascade Range altitudes protect eastern Washington from much of the Pacific Ocean’s temperature influence and Rainfall.
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The Rattlesnake Hills, which vary in elevation from 850 feet to 3,085 feet, create a north flank to the Toppenish Creek/Yakima Valley floor at its immediate south. Also, south central Washington has a series of smaller east-west mountain ranges between the Cascade Range and the Columbia River.
The Rattlesnake Hills range is oriented east to west. The ridgeline has dissected canyons, terraces, and ridges running south off the main ridge to the Yakima River. Vineyards are usually on ridges and terraces, and in areas with good air drainage, which lessens frost and winterkill conditions.
The Rattlesnake Hills viticultural area topography includes a multitude of landscapes with differing aspect and hill slope positions. Low glacial terraces comprise the balance of the terrain found within the AVA. The Yakima Valley viticultural area, which surrounds the Rattlesnake Hills AVA on the east, south and west sides, has a more open and consistent landscape when compared to the Rattlesnake Hills area.
Zillah, with a population of about 2300, was founded in 1891 following the completion of the Sunnyside Canal project which diverted water from the Yakima River to the lower Yakima Valley. The town was named for Miss Zillah Oakes, daughter of Thomas Fletcher Oakes, president of the Northern Pacific Railway. Zillah was officially incorporated on January 5, 1911. Zillah is also the home of the Church of God, Zillah.