Avennia 'Gravura' Columbia Valley Red Blend 2022

Winemaking

Avennia is the project of Master Sommelier Chris Gorman, who founded the winery with a clear vision: to craft wines that express the elegance and restraint of Old World Europe through the exceptional fruit of Washington State. Gorman trained in France and brings a distinctly Bordelais sensibility to Columbia Valley, favoring precision and balance over sheer power. That philosophy is evident throughout the Avennia lineup, and nowhere more so than in the Gravura.

Tasting Notes

The Gravura opens with an inviting and composed nose of blackberry, ripe plum, and dark cherry, layered with subtle cedar and a whisper of dark chocolate. On the palate, it's full-bodied but never heavy — the ripe tannins are well-integrated and lend a silky, structured frame to flavors of cassis and black fruit. A gentle cocoa note carries through to the finish, which is long and polished with enough acidity to keep everything feeling alive and focused. This is a red blend built for the cellar as much as the dinner table, with a drink window stretching comfortably into the early 2030s.

Producer

Founded in 2012 in Woodinville, Washington, Avennia sources fruit from some of the most respected vineyard sites across Columbia Valley, working closely with growers who share the winery's commitment to low yields and careful canopy management. The operation is deliberately small-scale, allowing Gorman and his team to give hands-on attention to every lot through harvest and élevage. That selectivity has earned Avennia a loyal following among Washington wine enthusiasts who appreciate wines of genuine complexity without excess.

Terroir

Columbia Valley is one of the largest and most geologically diverse AVAs in the Pacific Northwest, covering roughly 11 million acres across eastern Washington and northern Oregon. The region is defined by its dramatic diurnal temperature swings — blazing summer days give way to cool nights that preserve natural acidity and aromatics in the grapes — and by soils ranging from ancient Missoula Flood deposits of silt and loam to basaltic bedrock. It is this combination of intense sunshine, low rainfall, and varied geology that allows a Bordeaux-inspired red blend like the Gravura to achieve both ripeness and structure in the same glass.

Food Pairings

The Gravura's dark fruit, cocoa undertones, and polished tannins make it a natural match for a grilled bone-in ribeye finished with herb butter, or a more composed dish like braised short rib with a red wine and black cherry reduction. For a casual evening, it holds up beautifully alongside a smoked brisket sandwich with pickled onions — the wine's acidity cuts right through the richness.