Medals & Ratings
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE WINE COMPETITION 2024
Double Gold, Bitner Vineyards 2020 Syrah, Estate Vineyard, ($35 - $45)
Double Gold, Bitner Vineyards 2018 Merlot, Lanae Ridge Vineyards SRV ($30 - $39)
Gold, Bitner Vineyards 2017 Terrosa Reserve, Estate Vineyard (Cabernet Sauvignon blend $60+)
Silver, Bitner Vineyards 2019 Terrosa, Estate Vineyards (Petit Verdot leading blend)
CASCADIA INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION 2023
Gold, Bitner Vineyards 2016 Mi Tierra
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE WINE COMPETITION 2023
Gold, Bitner Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($50 - $59 Cabernet Sauvignon)
Gold, Bitner Vineyards 2016 Mi Tierra (Syrah leading blend $36 and up)
Gold, Bitner Vineyards 2019 Syrah ($40 - $49 Syrah)
DENVER INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION 2022
Gold, Bitner Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Gold, Bitner Vineyards 2011 Red Dessert Wine - Jordan
SUNSET INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION 2022
Double Gold / 97 points, Bitner Vineyards 2018 Syrah
”Strapping wild horses, nice oak frame.”
SAN FRANCISCO WINE COMPETITION 2022
Gold, Bitner Vineyards 2018 Tempranillo Erlexte
Silver, Bitner Vineyards 2020 Dry Riesling
Silver, Bitner Vineyards 2018 Petit Verdot / Merlot
SAN FRANCISCO WINE COMPETITION 2021
Gold, Bitner Vineyards 2019 Dry Riesling
Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition, 11/2020
Gold, Bitner Vineyards 2016 Petit Verdot / Merlot
Rated “OUTSTANDING” by Great Northwest Wine Review, 1/2021 / Petit Verdot Merlot 2016
While Syrah, Tempranillo, and Malbec are rightfully viewed as the red varieties that producers in Idaho’s Snake River Valley are most bullish on, Petit Verdot recently became part of that discussion. In fact, a Petit Verdot was selected by a panel of judges from beyond the Gem State as the best red wine at the 2019 Idaho Wine Competition. Greg Koenig, the longtime winemaker for the Bitner family, uses the traditional Bordeaux blender as the lead — 71% — of this bottling. A concentration of earth and terroir welcome you and tie you in with a Crayola box and violets. Dark brambly fruit that moves right into black tea, cassis and a hint of mint. This wine is tightly wound with tannin and backbone and will age nicely with the bright acidity that streams through it. Potentially a lamb ragu would take the edge to a really interesting place.
WINE PRESS NW 21st PLATINUM JUDGING, Winter 2020
Platinum, Bitner Vineyards 2016 Syrah Reserve
Retired bee biologist Ron Bitner jokingly refers to the skills of winemaker Greg Koenig as his “retirement plan.” Well, what’s left of these five barrels of Syrah should move quickly after news of this Platinum drops, which is the fifth that Koenig has delivered to this Sunnyslope Wine District property in the past three years. Big, juicy and spicy, this savory Syrah packs a punch with ripe blackberry and follows with a drizzle of chocolate for round and structured wine (113 cases, 14% Alc). Award: Cascadia International Wine Competition (gold).
PLATINUM | Wine Press NW 21st Platinum Judging, Winter 2020 / Chardonnay Reserve 2019
When Ron Bitner first entered the Idaho wine industry in the early 1980s, legend has it that he didn’t know Chardonnay was a grape. Thanks in part to Greg Koenig - the dean of Idaho winemakers - this Caldwell, Idaho winery is pouring some of the Northwest’s best. While there’s significant oak to the rich profile, it’s more along the lines of pineapple upside-down cake and flan rather than toast. There is a discreet note of jasmine, and a slice of Buddha’s Hand citrus adds delicious acidity and makes this incredibly well-balanced. (116 cases - 13.2% alc) Award: Idaho Wine Competition (gold).
91 Points | James Suckling / Mi Terra 2013
A ripe, savory, and earthy red that has a marvelous, supple texture, in spite of having a solid tannic base. This has now matured to ideal drinking form. Where is that big beef stew? Drink now.
90 Points | James Suckling / Mi Terra 2014
Quite ripe fruit and hints of caramel, milk chocolate, and wood. Fleshy and ripe with delicious fruit and round, easy tannins. 67% Syrah and 33% Petit Verdot. Drink or hold.
92 Points | James Suckling / Terrosa 2015
Beautiful aromas of wild black raspberries and spices. Juicy and full on the palate with some fun verve carrying through on the rich finish. Some orange peel and Earl Grey tea, too. A blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Petit Verdot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink or hold.
91 Points | James Suckling / Dry Riesling 2017
Intense green papaya, wet rock, and lemon zest with some marzipan. Slightly sweet. The bright acidity is excellent, as is wet stone, lemon rind, and suggestion of cantaloupe at the finish. Bitter-lemon aftertaste. Drink now.
90 Points & Editor’s Choice | Wine Enthusiast, 5/1/19 / Dry Riesling 2017
The aromas are vibrant, with notes of apricot, tangerine peel, and flower. It drinks off-dry, with bright acidity, exquisite balance, and a lengthy finish. Delicious stuff.
PLATINUM | Wine Press NW 20th Platinum Judging, Winter 2019 / Dry Riesling 2017
While some of Washington’s oldest and most prized plantings of Riesling have been taken out of production, Ron Bitner’s circa 1981 vineyard has emerged as the source for one of the Northwest’s top examples. Much of that credit goes to homegrown winemaker Greg Koenig, and he’s delivered a delicious enticement for those who claim they don’t like Riesling. Green apple taffy and peachy aromas lead to an intensely rich drink of stone fruit with a lick of candy corn. Its natural acidity makes it quite remarkable and consumer-friendly. (100 cases, 13.2% alc.) Award: San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (double gold).
PLATINUM | Wine Press NW 20th Platinum Judging, Winter 2019 | Dry Riesling 2016
No other Riesling producer matched the two Platinum performances posted by Bitner Vineyards in Caldwell, Idaho, and Greg Koenig left this 2016 edition for Ron Bitner with just a touch more residual sugar. It hits on an enticing array of white peach and tropical notes as delicious lemon/lime acidity hangs on through the long finish of kiwi. (101 cases, 13.2% alc.) Award: San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (gold)
PLATINUM | Wine Press NW 19th Platinum Judging, Winter 2019 | Tempranillo Erlexte 2015
Retired bee biologist Ron Bitner is among the champions in Idaho for the early-ripening Spanish red grape, and his proprietary name for this marquee bottling of Tempranillo pulls from the Basque term “beehive.” His longtime winemaker and friend, Greg Koenig, worked with Dale Jeffers fruit from the breadbasket that is Skyline Vineyards for an incredibly complex and spicy Tempranillo. It’s loaded with blackberry and black cherry, cured meat and coffee notes that trail off with a long savory element. (234 cases, 14%alc.) Award: Idaho Wine Competition (Gold).
90 Points | Wine Enthusiast 12/31/17 | / Merlot / Petit Verdot 2012
A 60 / 40 split of two varieties, this wine brings aromas of soil, citrus peel, and wood spice. The palate delivers a firm handshake of tannins and fruit flavor brightened by tart acidity.