From Sparrow’s white wine list, the Benton Hills Pinot Gris is a smooth, easy-drinking Washington white that suits just about any night out. It is $13 by the glass or $52 by the bottle, an honest local pour for our Kirkland regulars.
About Benton Hills Pinot Gris
This Pinot Gris comes from the Columbia Valley in Washington State, the broad inland growing region east of the Cascades that produces the great majority of the state’s wine. It is a high-desert climate, with warm sunny days, cool nights, and a long growing season, conditions that let white grapes ripen fully while keeping their natural freshness. Many of the vineyards here sit on soils shaped by ancient floods and volcanic activity, and that influence shows up as a clean, mineral edge in the glass. Pinot Gris is the same grape the Italians call Pinot Grigio, and in Washington it tends toward a fuller, rounder style than the lean Italian version. This is the 2022 vintage, an approachable, food-friendly take that fits right in at our neighborhood table here in Juanita.
Tasting Notes
Citrus and pear aromas float on a lightly viscous, silky texture. It is clean through the finish, with a touch of minerality the winery attributes to the region’s volcanic soil. Comfortable and refreshing, it is the kind of white that simply goes down easy, with enough body to stand up to a plate of food.
What to Pair It With
Pinot Gris is a versatile partner for lighter fare, and its gentle texture flatters seafood especially well. From the Sparrow dinner menu, try it with the Pacific Black Cod, the Scallops & Prosciutto, the Mussels and Sausages, the Seafood Chowder, or a Caesar Salad. It is also a friendly happy hour glass, and we run happy hour daily from 3 to 5 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Benton Hills Pinot Gris from?
It is a Pinot Gris from the Columbia Valley in Washington State, with citrus and pear character and a touch of minerality from volcanic soil.
Is Pinot Gris the same as Pinot Grigio?
Yes, they are the same grape, though Washington Pinot Gris often shows a slightly fuller, rounder, silkier style than a typical lean Italian Pinot Grigio.
How much is Benton Hills Pinot Gris at Sparrow?
At Sparrow in Kirkland it is $13 by the glass or $52 by the bottle.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near other Washington whites like the Chateau Ste. Michelle Gruner Veltliner. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come taste it.