{"api":{"host":"https:\/\/pinot.decanter.com","authorization":"Bearer NmY2NWY2YzI1ZjMyMGVkMmI2ZTkyOTk1ZTc0M2E1OTA3OTdkNTVjODViZTAyYzU4NzkxMjg0ODM5MDZlNWIzZQ","version":"2.0"},"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"6qv8OniKQO","rid":"RJXC8OC","offerId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","offerTemplateId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","wcTemplateId":"OTOW5EUWVZ4B"}}

PREMIUM

Columbia Valley 2021 vintage report: Top wines under $50

In the Columbia Valley, 2021 was a vintage that shattered heat records, and saw very low yields. Despite the challenges, there were some fantastic wines made in the under $50 category, one that can be elusive for fine wine regions in the US.

For winemakers in the US, in a region like the Columbia Valley, or throughout the West Coast, crafting wines that provide a good value at an approachable price can seem challenging.

From the consumer side, quality wines and those that receive high scores seem to come with a price tag that gets closer and closer to the US$100 number each time we go to the speciality wine retailer.

‘There is absolutely a range of wiggle room that a winery has in setting prices,’ says Kelsey Albro Itämeri of Walla Walla‘s Itä winery. ‘Pricing your wines is a difficult decision to make when you are just starting a business. Even though you may have set a budget and projections for costs and sales, the reality is that those can fluctuate wildly.

‘But there is a feasible band of price levels where at the lower price levels, you might be making a lower margin but selling higher volume, and then at the higher end, you’re making a higher margin, but it’s harder to sell each individual bottle.’


Scroll down for top-scoring Columbia Valley wines of the 2021 vintage all under $50



Columbia Valley 2021: A selection of 15 wines under $50


Related articles

Oregon vintage report: Tricky Willamette Valley 2022 sticks the landing

Chardonnay from Oregon’s Dundee Hills

USA Chardonnay: Panel tasting results

Latest Wine News