Barnard Griffin Riesling
Washington Riesling, poured in Commack for thirty years.
The story behind Barnard Griffin
Rob Griffin graduated from U.C. Davis in 1975 with a degree in fermentation science, moved to Washington in 1977, and in 1983 founded Barnard Griffin with his wife, Deborah Barnard, in Richland. They started on borrowed fruit and a rented cellar. Today the grapes for this Riesling come mostly from the Columbia Valley AVA, including the Bacchus Vineyard, planted in 1972. Their daughter, Megan Hughes, now makes wine beside them.
Cold fermented in stainless steel, no malolactic, finished off-dry at roughly 5.5 g/L residual sugar and 12.3% ABV. That is the whole trick: a little sweetness held in check by live acidity. We have poured it for Long Island tables for years because it behaves at the table and does not shout.
Explore the Barnard Griffin range
Three Barnard Griffin bottlings sit on our Washington shelf. The Riesling leads, with a Sauvignon Blanc and a Cabernet Sauvignon alongside it.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnard Griffin Riesling 750mL | Off-dry white, Columbia Valley | 12.3% ABV | Melon, tangerine, honeycomb, crisp apple, lime, ginger |
| Barnard Griffin Sauvignon Blanc 750mL | Dry white, Columbia Valley | 12.5% ABV | Citrus and green herb, stainless fermented, bright finish |
| Barnard Griffin Cabernet Sauvignon 750mL | Red, Columbia Valley | 13.5% ABV | Dark cherry, cocoa, cedar, firm tannin, oak aged |
| Barnard Griffin Riesling, chilled by the case | Off-dry white, Columbia Valley | 12.3% ABV | Same bottling, stacked for parties and shellfish nights |
| Barnard Griffin white flight | Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc | 12.3% to 12.5% ABV | Two bottles, one ice bucket, one afternoon |
| Barnard Griffin red and white pair | Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon | 12.3% to 13.5% ABV | One for the crab, one for the grill |
Which Barnard Griffin is right for you?
The Barnard Griffin Riesling 750mL runs $11.99, which is honest money for a cold fermented Columbia Valley white with this much going on. The Sauvignon Blanc 750mL is $12.99 and the Cabernet Sauvignon 750mL is $16.99. All three are listed as out of stock right now, so call the store at (631) 343-7200 and we will tell you when the next Washington truck lands. When it does, buy Barnard Griffin online or walk in and we will pull it from the cooler.
Crab, shrimp, oysters. The off-dry edge meets the brine and nobody argues.
Riesling tames chili and ginger better than most whites twice the price.
A Washington Cabernet at $16.99 that still tastes like Cabernet.
Barnard Griffin cocktails and pairings
Serve it well chilled, 45 to 50 degrees, in a tulip glass so the citrus and honeycomb stay put. Then put it next to something with salt or heat.