August 2025 Explorer Club Release – WAgust Edition

August 2025 Explorer Club Release | A WAgust Celebration of Washington Wine

Every bottle tells a story—and this month, those stories come from just across the border. August is Washington State Wine Month (or WAgust as the locals say), and we’re celebrating by featuring three incredible wines that highlight the creativity, diversity, and deep talent in the Washington wine scene.

Whether you're new to Washington wines or a longtime fan, this release is a snapshot of why we love what our neighboring state is doing. These are wines made by people who know the land, trust the fruit, and make decisions with intention and care.

A Quick History of Washington Wine

Washington’s wine industry is surprisingly young—serious commercial production didn’t really take off until the 1970s—but it’s now the second-largest wine-producing state in the U.S., with over 1,000 wineries and 20+ AVAs. Early pioneers like Chateau Ste. Michelle, Leonetti Cellar, and Woodward Canyon helped put the state on the global wine map, and today’s generation is carrying that torch forward with innovation, diversity, and serious vineyard-driven wines.

The eastern side of the state, protected from Pacific rain by the Cascade Mountains, is where most of the wine magic happens. Warm days, cool nights, and ancient soils make it ideal for bold reds, crisp whites, and everything in between.

What’s in Your August Explorer Club Release

Drink Washington State Carménère, 2020 | Wahluke Slope, WA
Crafted by Washington’s 2025 Winemaker of the Year, Brad Binko, this small-lot Carménère is everything we love about the underdog grape—smoky, savory, and deeply expressive. With fruit from the Wahluke Slope and 3.5 years in French oak, it’s complex but incredibly drinkable. Brad’s Drink Washington State project is all about exploring the AVAs of the state—this one’s a knockout.

EFESTĒ “Feral” Sauvignon Blanc, 2024 | Ancient Lakes, WA
EFESTĒ was one of the original voices for native fermentation and natural winemaking in Washington. Their 2024 “Feral” Sauvignon Blanc is fermented in concrete egg, wild yeast only—no oak, no tricks. It’s electric, mineral-driven, and full of fresh citrus energy. Wines like this remind us why Washington whites are having a serious moment.

M100 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 | Columbia Valley, WA
Winemaker Charlie Hoppes has been a fixture in Washington wine for decades, and his M100 Cab is one of his most personal projects—a tribute to his great-grandmother, Mary Jane. With fruit from three trusted Columbia Valley vineyards, this wine is smooth, structured, and packed with blackberry, cedar, and cocoa notes. It’s a drink-now, share-often kind of wine—and we love it for that.

Why These Wines Matter — Especially in WAgust

We chose this lineup because it reflects what makes Washington so exciting: a mix of longtime legends and rising stars, a willingness to experiment, and a deep respect for place. This month’s winemakers—Brad Binko, EFESTĒ’s team, and Charlie Hoppes—are each writing their own chapter in the story of Washington wine.

So here’s to WAgust, to new discoveries, and to pouring a glass of the Pacific Northwest’s best.

Cheers,
The Base Camp Wine & Co. Team