Maryhill Winery and Amphitheatre... from the performer's point of view

Maryhill Winery and Amphitheatre

9774 Highway 14
 4 miles west of
Hwy 97/Goldendale-Biggs Junction

Maryhill, Washington
(MAP)
1-509-773-1976
1-877-627-9445

Website:  www.maryhillwinery.com

Contact Maryhill
 

Winery Information
Winemaker:  Craig Larson

Proprietors: 
Craig & Vicki Leuthold
Donald Leuthold, Cliff Brooks

The Vineyards & The Grapes

Average Annual Production:
30
,000 cases

Wines Produced: 

Syrah, Sangiovese, Zinfandel,
Merlot,  Cabernet Sauvignon,
Pinot Noir, Grenache,
Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Red Blend,
Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc,
Riesling, Gewürztraminer,
Viognier, Chardonnay

Tasting Room  Xboxpncl.wmf (5138 bytes)  Picnic Area  Xboxpncl.wmf (5138 bytes)

Group Tours - by arrangement  Xboxpncl.wmf (5138 bytes)

Space rental for private events  Xboxpncl.wmf (5138 bytes)

Tasting Room Hours:    
Daily - 10:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Except:
Thanksgiving day,
Christmas eve & Christmas Day,
New Year's eve & New Year's day)

Summer Concert Series  Xboxpncl.wmf (5138 bytes)

 VISA  Xboxpncl.wmf (5138 bytes)  Master Card  Xboxpncl.wmf (5138 bytes)
Discover  Xboxpncl.wmf (5138 bytes)

Passion. Patience. Balance.

       Few other places in the historic Northwest Territory resonate with such power as does the stretch of spectacular, elevated land where Maryhill Winery & Amphitheatre overlook the Columbia River and the eastern end of the famed Columbia River Gorge, southwest of Goldendale.

      Celebrating, honoring and sharing the beauty of this powerful spot is Maryhill Winery & Amphitheatre... conceived and developed by the wine-savvy members of the Leuthold family that made it real.  Together, Craig and Vickie Leuthold (with combined wine-industry experience of more than 20 years) and family members Donald Leuthold and Cliff Brooks brought their skills and passions to the shared table of a common dream. Today, that dream is an amazing reality.

      The uninformed visitor might guess -- from all appearances -- that Maryhill Winery, and its enhanced naturally sloping amphitheater, were owned by some large wine company.  In reality, the The Maryhill Winery Wine Store and gift shopbusiness was started as a partnership between four individual wine enthusiasts who shared the common goal of making their mark as producers of superior wines... wine enthusiasts that just happened to be family. 

      Together, these Leuthold family members pooled their skills, passions, patience and balance to plan and develop a destination winery and amphitheater that today host thousands of visitors a year, sharing the majesty of place and quality of wines that is Maryhill Winery & Amphitheatre.   

The Amphitheater

       Dramatic views of precipitous canyon walls and sloping open lands inspired early, famed road builders of the Columbia River Gorge, just as they inspire travelers, residents and wine producers today.  Thankfully, that includes the owners of Maryhill.

     
      Inspired by the large, naturally sloping piece of land adjacent to the east side of the winery, the Leutholds saw the land as a perfect site for enjoying outdoor concerts.  And so was born the Maryhill Winery Amphitheatre in the summer of 2002.  A 4,000-seat outdoor amphitheater was stair-stepped into the sloping land, creating curved, grassy areas for blanket spreading, picnic dinners, and plenty of singing, dancing and swaying to the music. 


Check the Maryhill Amphitheater calendar


      The 180-degree arc of the amphitheater and the gentle incline of the terrace deliver panoramic views of the stage and the beautiful, rugged horizon.  Guests can bring blankets or chairs for use within the grass-terraced general admission area. (No lounge style chairs, please.) Reserved seat tickets offer the most exclusive amphitheater experience, One thousand house-provided chairs, located near the front of the stage, offer the exclusive amphitheater experience of reserved-seating tickets. Buffet dining on the spacious deck under the winery's arbor is also available with reservations.

      The annual eclectic mix of performers scheduled for each Summer Concert Series at the Amphitheatre aims to please a wide spectrum of music lovers... even young children lucky enough to attend an outdoor concerts with moms and dads. 

       To maximize your Maryhill Winery Amphitheatre experience, arrive an hour or two early to select your cool block of soft green grass, unless you purchased reserved seating tickets and plan to sit in the designated area of chairs toward the stage.  Arriving early is still a good idea, allowing time to browse the winery's tasting room and choose a bottle of picnic wine or a good sipping wine for your al fresco meal.

      To receive the latest information on the Maryhill Summer Concert Series, be sure to sign up for their email-based newsletter.

(Continued, top of 2nd column)

The Winery

       Imagine arriving at Maryhill Winery on a 90ºF-day for a first-time visit; you park your car, feeling dwarfed by your surroundings... the dry, 360º expanse of open land and the yawning gap of the Columbia Gorge -- the dramatic dividing line between Washington and Oregon.  Eagerly, you head toward the inviting shade of a grapevine and flowered lattice, covering a very large deck that leads to the Maryhill entrance. You realize how hot you are and quicken your pace. Nearing the promise of shady relief, you catch your breath as the beauty of an expansive landscape, dramatic and unspoiled, beyond and below you comes into view.  Does it get any better than this, you wonder?  Just then, a fine mist of water cools your flushed face, as you cross the threshold of the latticed deck. 

       Refreshed and stimulated, you swing open the doors of the main entrance to Maryhill's tasting room and gift shop.  A virtual flood of impressions compete for your attention. Framed by the windows to the west, Mt. Hood dominates the view, promising even greater grandeur if you stay for sunset, while to your right a darkly aged Brunswick Bar is clearly the focal point of the large room.  Stretching a full 20 feet long and 12 feet high, the bar, you learn, was made in the early 1900s, quarter sawn from Tiger Oak, and finished with exquisite wood carvings and inset mirrors.  A number of people are enjoying tastes of several Maryhill wines, poured by friendly, informed staff. 

       Once you decide which wine you like most -- not an easy task, you can take a glass to a fireside table and enjoy dramatic views through the adjacent glass wall.  If you want to experience fresh, dry air with your view, walk out to the trellised deck on the west side of the tasting room or to the east side with its wind-protected, grapevine-covered arbor... a platform for unprecedented views of the mountains and the Columbia River Gorge.  What a great way to end your wine-tasting day.

The Wines

       Maryhill vineyards are focused on producing premium red wines, with special attention to Syrah and Sangiovese. Its larger vineyards include blocks of Zinfandel, Viognier, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon vines, and smaller sections are planted to Cabernet Franc, Petite Merlot, Malbec and Grenache.  Maryhill also contracts with select premier vineyards in the area to grow for Maryhill Winery.  By using both  vineyards in Oregon and vineyards planted along Washington's side of the Columbia River, Maryhill draws out the unique and individual flavors of diverse growing regions best suited for specific varietals. 


       There are so many reasons to visit Maryhill, you will want to visit more than once.  Each visit will be memorable.
 

Featured Maryhill Wines

       The focus of Maryhill Winery's vineyards is on producing premium red wines, with special attention to Syrah and Sangiovese. Its larger vineyards include blocks of Zinfandel, Viognier, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines, as well as smaller sections for Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Grenache. While wines are produced primarily from fruit grown on its estate vineyards along the Columbia River Gorge, Maryhill Winery also contracts with the best of Washington and Oregon vineyards along the river to fulfill its vision... "to draw out the unique and individual flavors of this rich and diverse growing region."



2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
$24.00  [Order Online]

Best of Show - Central WA State Fair Wine Competition, June 2007
Gov. Trophy Best Red - Central WA State Fair Wine Competition, June 2007
Best Cab Sauv - Central WA State Fair Wine Competition, June 2007
Gold Medal - Grand Harvest Awards, Santa Rosa, CA, Feb 2007
Gold Medal - West Coast Wine competition, Santa Rosa, CA, Apr 2007
Gold Medal - NW Wine Summit, Timberline Lodge, OR, Apr 2007

This vintage opens with notes of black currant, warm spice and an herbaceous nose of dried sage and fresh thyme. Dark red fruit fills the palate with notes of light pepper and toasted oak while lush cocoa bean and walnut skins dominate the long, rewarding finish.

2005 Zinfandel
$22.00 [Order Online]
New Release

Maryhill's well known Zinfandel is once again big and luscious with dark, broody licorice, black cherry preserves and dried currants. The peppery nose mingles on the palate with nutmeg, allspice and a touch of rich exotic Mijool dates, culminating in a long, lingering finish filled with smoky cedar, star anise and exotic spice tinged with dark cocoa bean.


Renowned Fort Rock Red is now our Winemakers Blend.
SAME GREAT WINE, NEW LABEL!

2005 Winemakers Blend
$15.00  [Order Online]

Gold Medal - Grand Harvest Awards, Feb, 2007, Santa Rosa, CA
Highly Recommended (85 pts) - Beverage Testing Institute, 2007, Chicago, IL

Maryhill's Winemaker's Blend is year after year an award winning and popular favorite. A combination of 40% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Syrah and 6% Cabernet Franc creates a "Bordeaux" with a twist. The ruby red wine sparks with chocolate and cherry aromas with an elegant oak background.


2006 Viognier
$16.00  [Order Online]
New Release

Year after year our top selling wine and constant Gold Medal winner. A seductive varietal, this Viognier will tempt you with its intense aroma of dried apricots, ripe peach and honeysuckle. The rich texture envelopes your mouth with flavors of baked peaches, soft French vanilla and a lingering hint of orange blossom.

2006 Pinot Gris
$16.00  [Order Online]

New Release

A perennial summer favorite that will tempt your senses with lively notes of soft apple, peach and pear. On the palate the peach becomes deeper with rich flavors of nectarine and a subtle touch of pineapple, leading to a cleansing apple finish with a trace of citrus.


Proprietor's Reserve Wines

2004 Proprietor's Reserve Sangiovese
$26.00  [Order Online]

Gold Medal - American Wine Society, Dec, 2006, Lower, Burrell, PA
Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle, Jan, 2007, San Francisco, CA

Italian varieties have enjoyed some great success along the Columbia Gorge and here’s the latest example. Black walnut, black cherry cough syrup and a fair amount of oak in the nose sets the stage for flavors of dried cherries with coffee and chocolate overtones. Good acidity and some brickishness makes this a lingering, satisfying wine and a great meal partner.

2003 Proprietor's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
$36.00 [Order Online]
90 pts - Wine Enthusiast
Gold Medal & Best of Class - Jerry Mead's Wine Competition

Our third offering of this classic style of Cabernet continues the tradition of lush, rich and complex flavors. Discover layer upon layer of flavor experiences...cedar, cassis, red cherry, espresso liqueur and figs with hints of wood and tobaccos.

Check out Maryhill's other wines on its Wine Store web page.


Map for Maryhill Winery & Amphitheatre in Washington's Columbia Gorge

Bridge Closed - 2008

U.S. Hwy 97 bridge at Biggs is closed during 2008 for repairs.  Use U.S. Hwy 197 bridge at The Dalles, OR, about 20 miles to the west.

           Yakima Valley Wineries map page link    

Copyright © 2004 - 2007   Susan R. O'Hara. All rights reserved.
Last revised: 12/12/2007