Awards & Recognitions

Voted 2022 Best Winery on the Eastside

Photo: Mary Humann

“A love of science, art, and nature is what brought Xander and Samantha Kent together to form Orenda Winery. Orenda partners with some of the highest-elevation vineyards in the state to make wines with unique and complex flavors. With a focus on the gifts of nature, Orenda’s labels feature a circular image representing the cycle of nature needed to support a wine from grape to glass.” – 425 Magazine Read More

2020 Washington Winery to Watch: Orenda Winery

Photo: Richard Duval

“Success came rather quickly last year for Xander and Samantha Kent as Orenda Winery attracted attention with one of the Pacific Northwest’s most decorated examples of Cabernet Franc released in 2019. … And now, less than a year after selling its first bottle of wine, Orenda Winery has been named Wine Press Northwest’s 2020 Washington Winery to Watch.” – Wine Press NW Read More

Wine Awards

Cabernet Franc

2018 | 91 Points by The Wine Panel
2018 | Judge’s Pick by Sip Magazine’s 2022 Best of the Northwest
2017 | “Double Platinum” by the Wine Press Northwest Platinum Competition 2020
2017 | “Double Gold” by the Seattle Wine Awards 2020
2016 | “Best Red in Show” at the Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition
2016 | “Platinum” at the Wine Press Northwest Platinum Competition

“This gorgeous expression of Cabernet Franc maintains a restrained ripeness that provides more red fruit flavors. Expect essences of cherry, toast, and vanilla. Aged 24 months in French oak, the wine has a nice balance, great texture, and is classy and elegant. The 2017 won both Double Platinum and Double Gold in regional competitions, and the 2018 is another winner from this relatively new Washington “Winery to Watch!”” – The Wine Panel

Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 | “Double Gold” at the Wine Press Northwest Platinum Competition 2020
2017 | “Double Gold” from Sip Magazine’s 2020 Best of the Northwest
2017 | “Double Gold” by the Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition 2019
2017 | 92 Points by The Wine Panel

“The judges always taste double blind, and in this case were expecting the wine [2017 Cabernet Sauvignon] to be $50 or more. Some Washington Cabernet goes too far with extraction, but not this beauty. Expect a classy, elegant wine that has nice flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, and a bit of vanilla, along with blue and black fruits. This relatively new, tiny production winery is winning awards with many of its first vintages, and this Cabernet has won its’ share, over-delivering for the price. Great job Xander and Samantha!” – The Wine Panel

Merlot

2018 | 91 Points by The Wine Panel
2017 | “Double Gold” by Seattle Wine Awards 2020
2017 | “Double Gold” by the Wine Press Northwest Platinum Competition 2020

“The 2017 version won two Double Gold Awards, and the ’18 will surely be a contender as well. Aged for 24 months in French oak barrels, this wine drinks more like a Right Bank Bordeaux than a Washington Merlot, with a leaner profile and subtle but present tannins. For those who prefer Old World wines, this will be right up your alley, and is approachable now but could easily age for another 5 years before it’s in its prime.” – The Wine Panel

Sangiovese

2018 | “Best of Class/Gold” by the 2021 Cascadia International Wine Competition

“Compared to lighter profiles common in Tuscan wines, our Sangiovese is a bold statement. Blended with 20% Cabernet and integrated with equal parts new (50%) and neutral (50%) French oak over 24 months, our Sangiovese has deep notes of cherry with layers of cedar, espresso, and baking spices. A great balance between Tuscan and Washington wine styles.” – Xander Kent (Orenda Co-owner/Winemaker)

Balance

2018 | 90 Points by The Wine Panel
2017 | “Double Gold” by the Seattle Wine Awards 2020

“This gorgeous Bordeaux Style blend of almost equal parts Cabernet and Cabernet Franc with 6% Merlot and a kiss of Petite Verdot spent 2 years in French Oak barrels before bottling. As a result of this well-crafted blend, and time to mature, this wine is well-named, as it’s very balanced. Flavors of boysenberry, plum and black cherry dominate, with a hint of vanilla in the background amongst dry but softer tannins. Age in your cellar for a few years or decant if opening before 2022-2023.” – The Wine Panel