Marty Taucher and Chris Peterson (Seattle Magazine’s 2017 Winemaker of the Year and International Wine Report's 2023 Washington State Winemaker of the Year) got together in 2009, at first only to review Marty’s draft of a winery business plan. Peterson was ready to take the next step in his winemaking career. The timing was perfect and together Marty and Chris founded Avennia, with focus on their shared fundamentals: “mutual respect, complimentary skill, and a love of great wine”. The name Avennia was inspired by the Roman name for the city of Avignon, which signifies the heart of Old World wine making. Using naturalist vigneron methods, putting a great deal of thought into vineyard sites (down to specific blocks), and taking winemaking style, vine age and climate into consideration, Avennia wines express a key tenant of the Old World: wines that move seamlessly from start to finish with a delicate balance of fruit, acid, tannin, and oak, with no single aspect dominating another. The finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Grenache and Mourvèdre grapes from Yakima and Columbia Valley are sourced, native yeast is used to ferment, and they are bottled unfined to keep as much unique characteristics as possible. The intricacies of blending, from different blocks to different grape types, are as paramount as vineyard selection. In order to achieve the finest texture and balance possible, extensive blending trials are extensively used. True to Avennia’s Old World inspiration, the “less is more” approach allows the fruit to speak for itself, in a voice that is “proudly Washington”.
"Winemaker Chris Peterson continues to fashion some of the most impressive wines in the State. These are always more classical in style and show plenty of acidity and structure in their youth, yet they blossom with just short term cellaring and are brilliant wines."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2019)
12th Annual Washington Wine Awards Winners Are In.
Honoring the best in Washington wine, from all-star vineyards to the top bottles.
