Yaima Valley Vintners Continues To Win

Yakima Valley College's teaching winery is once again earning statewide recognition. Yakima Valley Vintners brought home multiple honors at the 2026 Seattle Wine Awards, including two double gold medals for its 2022 Solicitude Lemberger and 2023 Graduate's Last Hyrah Syrah. Five additional student-produced wines earned gold medals, while two others received silver.

The latest awards bring the college's Vineyard and Winery Technology program to a total of 275 wine awards, including 19 platinum honors — the most of any educational institution in the Pacific Northwest.

YVV Went Toe-To-Toe With Some Of The Best Wine Makers In The State

“This reflects the dedication and skill of our students, who are learning by doing in a fully operational commercial winery environment,” said Trent Ball, chair of YVC’s Agriculture Department and Vineyard and Winery Technology program.

School officials noted YVC student wines were judged blind alongside commercial wineries, demonstrating their ability to compete at the highest level of the wine industry. Seattle Wine Awards is Washington's most prestigious wine awards program. The April event allows professionals to gather to taste and evaluate white, red, sweet, sparkling and rosé wines produced from across the Evergreen state. This esteemed group includes respected wine directors, buyers, distributors, educators and Seattle’s top sommeliers. The top wines are recognized with double gold, gold, silver and bronze grand awards of excellence.

Classes Start Soon

YVC's Vineyard and Winery Technology program is now accepting applications for fall classes, with scholarships available. For more information about Yakima Valley Vintners and the Yakima Valley College Vineyard and Winery Technology Program, check out the school's Website or call (509) 882-7007.

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