Pacific Rim Dry Riesling

Pacific Rim Dry Riesling is a 750ml, 13.5% ABV dry white wine made from 100% Riesling grown in Washington State's Columbia Valley AVA. The 2022 vintage earned 89 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the expression has become one of the Pacific Northwest's most recognized examples of bone-dry, food-friendly Riesling.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Columbia Valley AVA, Washington State  |  Varietal: 100% Riesling  |  Producer: Pacific Rim (Mariani Family / Banfi Vintners)

Production & Heritage

Pacific Rim is owned by the Mariani Family, the same family behind Banfi Vintners, and sources its Riesling primarily from vineyards in the Yakima Valley within the broader Columbia Valley AVA. The grapes are harvested relatively early at 22–23 Brix to preserve bright acidity, then fermented at cold temperatures over 30 days using exclusively native yeasts — no commercial strains, no oak, and no malolactic fermentation. After fermentation, the wine rests sur lie in stainless steel tanks for five months, with lees stirred once or twice weekly to build mid-palate texture while maintaining the variety's signature clarity and freshness. The entire process is sustainably produced.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with crisp, chilled Asian pear and green apple before moving into Meyer lemon zest and delicate lavender. A saline, almost coastal quality lingers beneath the fruit, adding depth beyond simple citrus aromatics.

Taste: The palate enters bright and focused with grapefruit and citrus zest, then broadens at mid-palate into jasmine, white peach, and a touch of melon. Spicy accents of clove and ginger emerge toward the peak, balanced by a pronounced mineral backbone that keeps the wine taut and dry despite its fruit generosity.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish carries lingering notes of pine needle, wet stone, and a faint echo of citrus pith. The texture stays crisp and clean, with acidity that refreshes rather than bites.

How to Drink Pacific Rim Dry Riesling

Serve well chilled — around 45–50°F — to highlight the wine's acidity and aromatic intensity. A standard white wine glass with a slight taper concentrates the floral and citrus notes effectively.

• Riesling Spritz: The wine's natural minerality and dry profile make it an excellent base for a white wine spritz with soda water and a grapefruit twist.
• White Sangria: The peach, melon, and citrus character integrate naturally with fresh stone fruit and herbs in a lighter-style sangria.
• Wine Cocktail with Elderflower: A splash of elderflower liqueur and a squeeze of lime amplifies the jasmine and floral tones already present in the wine.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring Thai, Vietnamese, or Japanese cuisine
• Introducing dry Riesling to friends who default to Sauvignon Blanc
• Summer porch sessions where crisp acidity and low oak appeal
• Building an affordable Washington State wine collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pacific Rim Dry Riesling taste like? It leads with bright grapefruit and Meyer lemon, transitions into jasmine and white peach at mid-palate, and finishes with mineral-driven dryness accented by ginger and clove spice.

How does Pacific Rim Dry Riesling compare to Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling? Both are Columbia Valley dry Rieslings, but Pacific Rim uses only native yeasts and an extended sur lie aging regimen, which tends to produce a rounder mid-palate texture. Chateau Ste. Michelle's version is widely regarded as slightly lighter-bodied and more straightforwardly fruity.

Is Pacific Rim Dry Riesling good for pairing with Asian food? Its combination of bracing acidity, residual-sugar-free dryness, and ginger-spice undertones makes it one of the more natural Riesling choices for dishes with chili heat, lemongrass, or soy-based sauces.

Where is Pacific Rim Dry Riesling made? It is produced in Washington State from Riesling grapes grown primarily in the Yakima Valley, a sub-region within the Columbia Valley AVA, by Pacific Rim Winemakers under the ownership of the Mariani Family (Banfi Vintners).

What foods pair well with Pacific Rim Dry Riesling? Pad Thai — the acidity cuts through peanut richness. Seared scallops — the mineral quality mirrors the shellfish's brininess. Fresh spring rolls with shrimp — the wine's jasmine notes echo the herbs. Grilled white fish with citrus — green apple and lemon in the wine amplify the dish. Mild goat cheese — the wine's acidity balances the tang without overwhelming it.

What sizes does Pacific Rim Dry Riesling come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Pacific Rim Dry Riesling worth the price? It positions firmly as a value-tier dry Riesling, punching above its weight with native-yeast fermentation, extended sur lie aging, and consistent critical recognition — the 2022 vintage scored 89 points from Wine Enthusiast — making it one of the stronger quality-to-value propositions in American Riesling.

Why Pacific Rim Dry Riesling?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of American dry Rieslings is the five-month sur lie aging with frequent lees stirring — a technique more commonly associated with premium Muscadet or Burgundy whites — applied here to amplify body without sacrificing Riesling's defining crispness. The exclusive use of native yeasts adds site-specific character that commercial strains cannot replicate. Consistent critical attention, including 89 points from Wine Enthusiast for the 2022 vintage and 88 points from Wine Spectator for the 2023, confirms the winemaking delivers vintage after vintage. For drinkers seeking a genuinely dry, mineral-forward Riesling from Washington State without an oak fingerprint, this remains one of the most dependable bottles on the shelf.