You Are Here:
In the last decade of the 90's, Novelty Hill winemaker Mike Januik oversaw the winemaking team at Washington State's giant Chateau Ste. Michelle winery, turning out massive volumes of wine but also winning medals and high scores as well. Now firmly entrenched at Novelty Hill Winery, he's back to hand crafting small lots of distinctive wines. It's a can't miss situation for wine consumers: a great vineyard source, (the estate Stillwater Creek Vineyard), an experienced winemaker and one of the best quality to price ratios among Washington wineries. His 2006 Viognier, made from the great white wine grape of the Rhone, reveals a light and masterful winemaking touch. The aromas of peach and apricot are intriguing, as well as white flower petals and a certain indefinable perfume. In the mouth, the wine shows stone fruit flavors with citrus rind that are racy and sleek, buffered by a talcum power like quality that allows it to softly do a slow fade to the finish.