Echolands Winery Achieves Prestigious Platinum Award at 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards
Echolands Winery Triumphs at Decanter World Wine Awards
Echolands Winery, a standout in the Walla Walla AVA, has made waves in the wine community by securing a coveted Platinum Award at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards. Among nearly 17,000 entries worldwide, only one wine from Washington received this prestigious honor: the Cabernet Franc Blue Mountain Vineyard 2022, a testament to Echolands' commitment to excellence.
Every year, the Decanter World Wine Awards evaluates countless wines from diverse regions, and with 248 esteemed judges, including many Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine, the competition is as fierce as it is respected. The 97-point score bestowed upon Echolands' Cabernet Franc underscores the wine’s remarkable profile, which has been praised for its purity of fruit, showcasing flavors of black cherry, berry, and plum, coupled with a unique earthy, herbaceous note.
The Significance of the Award
Winning a Platinum Award can significantly impact a winery's reputation and market reach. As noted by DWWA judge and Master of Wine Tim Marson, such accolades can “literally change a producer's life.” Echolands' success is particularly impressive given the stringent competition, as this year saw wines from 57 countries being scrutinized by what is considered the most skilled panel in the history of the awards.
The Vineyard Story
Echolands Winery's journey began in 2018, thanks to the vision of Master Sommelier Doug Frost and conservationist Brad Bergman. The winery focuses on sourcing grapes from its own vineyards as well as select neighboring sites, such as the distinguished Blue Mountain Vineyard, which is known for producing grapes that express a unique terroir due to its cooler climate relative to the valley floor.
“We chose to partner with Blue Mountain Vineyard because it provides a distinctive aspect to our Cabernet Franc. The cooler climate contributes to a beautiful tension in the grapes,” explains winemaker Brian Rudin. Rudin emphasizes that the Cabernet Franc from Blue Mountain is unlike any other, yielding a more complex and aromatic profile than grapes sourced from warmer regions.
In addition to the highly lauded Cabernet Franc, Echolands also showcases its versatility with other award-winning wines derived from various vineyards in the area. The winery's Seven Hills Vineyard Red 2020 garnered a Silver Medal, displaying the winery's aptitude for crafting exceptional blends.
A Legacy of Wine Excellence
Echolands Winery is positioned not just as a participant in the wine industry but as a destination for wine enthusiasts. The ethos of the winery revolves around respecting the landscape and the unique properties of the vineyards they operate. Doug Frost, the winery's CEO and Owner, articulates this vision: