DeLille Cellars

Founded in 1992 by Greg and Charles Lill, Pat Lill Jorgenson, Jay Soloff, and veteran winemaker Chris Upchurch, DeLille has earned its place on the international stage. The winery has, since it’s inception, garnered praise and high marks from critics. The winery has, since its inception, garnered praise and high marks from critics, including being named the “Lafite Rothschild of Washington State” by Robert Parker. Most recently, and coinciding with its 25th anniversary, DeLille Cellars was voted 2017 Winery of the Year from Winepress Northwest and was named a Top 100 Winery by Wine & Spirits Magazine.

DeLille’s ongoing success is due in part to savvy marketing, and in selecting premium fruit from Washington State’s most sought-after vineyards including Boushey, Ciel du Cheval, Red Willow, Sagemoor, Klipsun and their estate vineyard, Grand Ciel, in the prestigious Red Mountain AVA. Of note, the Harrison Hill Vineyard, located in the Snipes Mountain AVA was planted in 1962 and contains Washington State’s oldest Cabernet vines. A portion of the Cabernet from this historic vineyard goes into a superb single-vineyard Bordeaux-style blend. Some Harrison Hill Cabernet is also incorporated into one of their most popular wines, the D2.     

The focus for Chris Upchurch has always been in crafting Cabernets and elegant Bordeaux-style blends—wines that arguably rival some of the best reds coming out of Napa Valley. Recently both the 2016 Delille Cellars Four Flags Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2016 Delille Cellars Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon received an outstanding 97 points from former The Wine Advocate critic, Jeb Dunnuck. “One of the gems in the lineup is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Four Flags. This thrilling, sensational Cabernet Sauvignon has a beautiful perfume of red currants, spice box, new leather, and dried flowers. Medium to full-bodied, seamless, and thrillingly textured, it offers balance, remarkable purity, and a finish that won’t quit. While Red Mountain is known for producing powerful, structured wines, this is all about finesse and elegance. It will drink nicely for two decades.” Dunnuck’s newly published barrel scores of the 2017 vintage are equally impressive.