KENNEWICK A longtime Yakima Valley winery captured top honors Saturday evening at the 34th annual Tri-Cities Wine Festival.

Apex Cellars won best in show for its 2010 Grenache. The winery began in 1988 in Sunnyside and was bought by Seattle-based Precept Wine in 2008. It has tasting rooms in Prosser and Woodinville.

The award was revealed Saturday during the wine festivals public tasting at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

Coke Roth, a Kennewick attorney who served as a judge at the competition, described the winning wine as superb.

Ive drunk Grenache all over the world, he said. Its like Grenache from Spain or the south of France. It has its own character. I particularly liked the way it presents itself.

Roth, who organized the first Tri-Cities Wine Festival in 1978 and has served as a judge throughout the years, said this years 305 entries showed particularly well.

We just kept working on the wines and finding ways to give them awards rather than beating them up, he said, adding that consumers enjoy wines in all kinds of settings, rather than under sterile judging conditions.

People will give them gold medals at the dinner table, in the hot tub or wherever theyre going to drink them, he said.

The panel awarded 72 gold or double gold medals, as well as 134 silvers and 68 bronze medals.

Roths fellow judges included Ann Littlefield, a wine consultant from Napa, Calif.; Wilfred Wong, cellarmaster for Beverages & More in San Francisco; Anke Freimuth-Wildman, winemaker for Steppe Cellars in Sunnyside; and Shelly Fitzgerald, wine buyer for Wine World in Seattle.

Here are the results:

Best in show: Apex Cellars 2010 Grenache

Double gold/best in class: Basalt Cellars 2008 Merlot; Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Eroica Riesling; Skylite Cellars 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; Smasne Cellars 2008 Phinny Hill Malbec; Smasne Cellars 2008 1/2 Ass Limited Release #2.

Gold/best in class: Mercer Estates Winery 2011 Reserve Chardonnay; Smasne Cellars 2009 Gravel Bar; Smasne Cellars 2008 Block #3 Syrah; Sweet Bliss Winery NV Sweet White Wine.

Gold: Basalt Cellars 2009 Cabernet Franc; Cairdeas Winery 2011 Gewürztraminer; Coyote Canyon Winery 2009 H/H Estates Reserve Robert Andrews Mourvèdre; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2009 Chenin Blanc Ice Wine; Mercer Estates Winery 2009 Petit Verdot; Rainstorm Winery 2010 Pinot Noir; 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; Airfield Estates Winery 2010 Aviator; Apex Cellars 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon; Barnard Griffin Winery 2010 Merlot; Barnard Griffin Winery 2010 Syrah; Basalt Cellars 2009 Round Up Red; Castillo de Feliciana Vineyard & Winery 2009 Tempranillo; Cave B Estate Winery 2011 Sauvignon Blanc; College Cellars of Walla Walla 2010 Merlot; Columbia Crest Winery 2010 H3 Cabernet Sauvignon; Columbia Crest Winery 2009 Walter Clore Private Reserve Red Wine; Columbia Crest Winery 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; Convergence Zone Cellars 2010 Squall Line; Convergence Zone Cellars 2010 Virga; Coyote Canyon Winery 2009 H/H Estates Reserve G.W. Smith Malbec; Coyote Canyon Winery 2010 Sangiovese; Coyote Canyon Winery 2011 Life Is Rosé; Coyote Canyon Winery 2011 Sweet Louise; Coyote Canyon Winery 2011 Roussanne; Daven Lore Winery 2010 Syrah Forté; Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Brut Rosé; FairWinds Winery 2002 Barrel Select Merlot; Gamache Vintners 2009 Cabernet Franc; Ginkgo Forest Winery 2009 Barbera; Ginkgo Forest Winery NV Raspberry Sensation; Ginkgo Forest Winery 2011 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer; Girly Girl Wines 2011 Riesling; Goose Ridge Estate Winery 2010 Estate Riesling Ice Wine; Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2010 Primitivo; Hidden Legend Winery NV The Kings Mead; Kestrel Vintners 2009 Sangiovese; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2009 Grenache; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2011 Chenin Blanc; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2010 Late Harvest Riesling; Kitzke Cellars 2009 Cabernet Franc; Martinez & Martinez Winery 2011 Viognier; Martinez & Martinez Winery 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon; Mercer Estates Winery 2010 Riesling; Mount Baker Vineyards and Winery 2011 Viognier Proprietors Limited Release; Orca Wines 2011 Pinot Gris; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2010 Gewürztraminer; Pend dOreille Winery 2007 Merlot; Skylite Cellars 2008 Soireé; Smasne Cellars 2011 Dry Morio Muscat; Smasne Cellars 2010 Ice Wine; Smasne Cellars 2010 Malbec; Snoqualmie Vineyards 2011 Naked Riesling; Thurston Wolfe Winery 2008 The Geologist; Treveri Cellars NV Sparkling Pinot Gris; Trio Vintners 2010 Flashpoint; Upland Estates Winery 2009 Malbec; Upland Estates Winery 2009 Ampeli Ice Wine; Willow Crest Winery 2011 Estate Riesling; Willow Crest Winery 2010 Estate Cabernet Franc; Yakima Valley Vintners 2009 Midterm Merlot.

Silver: 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards 2009 Syrah/Mourvèdre; 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards 2010 Riesling; 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards 2010 Pinot Gris; Airfield Estates Winery 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; Airfield Estates Winery 2010 Merlot; Airfield Estates Winery 2011 Reserve Chardonnay; Airfield Estates Winery 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon; Apex Cellars 2010 Mourvèdre; Barnard Griffin Winery 2009 Petit Verdot; Barnard Griffin Winery 2009 Rapport Port-style; Basalt Cellars 2009 Perimeter Red; Basalt Cellars 2007 Gemma Rossa; Cairdeas Winery 2011 Nellie Mae; Castillo de Feliciana Vineyard & Winery 2009 Adentro; Cave B Estate Winery 2010 Tempranillo; Cave B Estate Winery 2009 Merlot; Challenger Ridge Vineyard & Cellars 2009 Clone 667 Pinot Noir; Challenger Ridge Vineyard & Cellars 2009 Roussanne/Viognier; Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Dry Riesling; Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Harvest Select Riesling; Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Artist Series Meritage; Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot; College Cellars of Walla Walla 2010 Malbec; Columbia Crest Winery 2010 H3 Merlot; Columbia Crest Winery 2010 Les Chevaux Red Wine; Columbia Crest Winery 2011 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc; Convergence Zone Cellars 2011 Dewpoint; Convergence Zone Cellars 2011 Sunbreak; Convergence Zone Cellars 2010 Mistral; Coyote Canyon Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; Coyote Canyon Winery 2009 H/H Estates Reserve Big John Cab; Coyote Canyon Winery 2010 Grenache; Coyote Canyon Winery 2010 Primitivo; Coyote Canyon Winery 2009 Tres Cruces; Coyote Canyon Winery 2009 H/H Estates Michael Andrews Reserve; Coyote Canyon Winery 2011 Andrews White; Coyote Canyon Winery 2011 Albariño; Daven Lore Winery 2010 Petit Verdot; Daven Lore Winery 2010 Durif; Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Blanc de Blancs; FairWinds Winery NV Port O Call; Gamache Vintners 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; Gamache Vintners 2009 Merlot; Gamache Vintners 2008 Syrah; Ginkgo Forest Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; Ginkgo Forest Winery 2009 Pinot Noir; Girly Girl Wines 2011 Pinot Gris; Glen Fiona Winery 2009 Syrah; Glen Fiona Winery 2009 Viognier; Goose Ridge Estate Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled; Goose Ridge Estate Winery 2011 Estate Rosé de Pinot Gris; Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2010 Merlot; Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2011 Semillon; Hidden Legend Winery NV Wild Chokecherry Mead; Hightower Cellars 2010 Out of Line Red Wine; Hightower Cellars 2010 Murray Syrah; Hightower Cellars 2009 Merlot; The Hogue Cellars 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; The Hogue Cellars 2008 Terroir Series Syrah; The Hogue Cellars 2007 Terroir Series Malbec; Hoodsport Winery NV Raspberry Wine; Hoodsport Winery NV Bella Cranberry; Jones of Washington 2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon; Jones of Washington 2009 Reserve Syrah; Jones of Washington 2009 Estate Jacks Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; Jones of Washington 2011 Riesling; Kestrel Vintners 2009 Merlot; Kestrel Vintners 2008 Winemaker Select Cabernet Franc; Kestrel Vintners 2009 Winemaker Select Mourvèdre; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2010 Estate Lemberger; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2009 Malbec; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2010 Estate Zinfandel; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2010 Cabernet-Merlot; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2010 Estate Chardonnay; Kitzke Cellars 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; Kitzke Cellars 2009 Malbec; Kitzke Cellars 2009 Sangiovese; Kitzke Cellars 2009 Monte Caramelle; Kitzke Cellars 2007 Janaina Sensacão Red; Leone Italian Cellars 2006 Miscela Rossa; Locati Cellars 2011 Pinot Grigio; Martinez & Martinez Winery 2009 César Red Wine; Martinez & Martinez Winery 2011 Selina Méchelle Orange Muscat; Martinez & Martinez Winery 2010 Dion Carlo Carménère; Martinez & Martinez Winery 2011 May Mae Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon; Milbrandt Vineyards 2010 The Estates Merlot; Milbrandt Vineyards 2010 The Estates Malbec; Milbrandt Vineyards 2011 Traditions Riesling; Mount Baker Vineyards and Winery 2008 Market Cellar Winery Cabernet Sauvignon; Obelisco Estate 2009 Electrum Cabernet Sauvignon; Obelisco Estate 2009 Reserve Estate Merlot; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2011 Vin de Glacière Riesling; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2011 Riesling; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2011 Gewürztraminer; Pend dOreille Winery 2009 Malbec; Piccola Cellars 2011 Selecia Especial Pinot Gris; Piccola Cellars 2011 Selecia Especial Riesling; Purple Star Wines 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon; Purple Star Wines 2009 Syrah; Rainstorm Winery 2011 Pinot Gris; San Juan Vineyards 2011 Riesling; San Juan Vineyards 2009 Sangiovese; San Juan Vineyards 2009 Merlot; Silver Lake Winery 2011 Roza Riesling; Silver Lake Winery 2008 Roza Red Blend; Skylite Cellars 2008 Syrah; Skylite Cellars 2008 Reserve Red Wine; Skylite Cellars 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; Smasne Cellars 2010 Farm Boy Viognier; Smasne Cellars 2010 Farm Girl Kaitlin Rayann White; Smasne Cellars 2008 1/2 Ass Limited Release #3; Smasne Cellars 2007 Konner Ray Red Wine; AlmaTerra Wines 2009 Museum Red; Smasne Cellars 2011 The Pioneer Single Harvest Port-style; Smasne Cellars 2010 Konner Ray White; Smasne Cellars 2010 Single Row Zinfandel; Smasne Cellars 2010 Grenache; Sun River Vintners 2008 Sangiovese; Sweet Bliss Winery NV Sweet Red Wine; Terra Blanca Winery & Estate Vineyards 2008 ONYX; Terra Blanca Winery & Estate Vineyards 2011 Arch Terrace Chardonnay; Thurston Wolfe Winery 2010 The Teacher Cabernet Sauvignon; Treveri Cellars NV Sparkling Rosé; Treveri Cellars NV Sparkling Gewürztraminer; Upland Estates Winery 2009 Old Vine Cabernet; Upland Estates Winery 2009 Julian; Upland Estates Winery 2009 The Mayor; Upland Estates Winery 2009 Tempranillo; Upland Estates Winery 2010 Chardonnay; Upland Estates Winery 2010 Gewürztraminer; Upland Estates Winery 2010 Inception; Willow Crest Winery 2010 Estate Syrah; Willow Crest Winery NV Rockin Red Table Wine; Yakima Valley Vintners 2010 Primitivo.

Bronze: Airfield Estates Winery 2010 Malbec; Barnard Griffin Winery 2011 Chardonnay; Cairdeas Winery 2010 Consonance; Castillo de Feliciana Vineyard & Winery 2011 Pinot Grigio; Castillo de Feliciana Vineyard & Winery NV Cohones Red Wine; Challenger Ridge Vineyard & Cellars 2009 Block 1 Pinot Noir; Chandler Reach Winery 2008 Ventoso; Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon; Cloudlift Cellars 2010 Ascent; Cloudlift Cellars 2010 Halcyon; Cloudlift Cellars 2010 Panorama; Cloudlift Cellars 2011 Chardonnay; Cloudlift Cellars 2011 Updrarft; College Cellars of Walla Walla 2010 Presidents Blend; College Cellars of Walla Walla 2011 Sauvignon Blanc; Columbia Crest Winery 2010 Reserve White Wine; Convergence Zone Cellars 2010 Storm Front; Convergence Zone Cellars 2010 Black Cloud Malbec; Daven Lore Winery 2010 Syrah; Daven Lore Winery 2010 Malbec; Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Extra Dry; FairWinds Winery 2008 Lemberger; FairWinds Winery NV Fireweed Mead; FairWinds Winery 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; Ginkgo Forest Winery 2008 Ginkgo Red; Ginkgo Forest Winery 2009 Malbec; Ginkgo Forest Winery 2008 Syrah; Gordon Estate 2009 Six; Gordon Estate 2008 Merlot; Gordon Estate 2009 Syrah; Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards 2009 Laid Back Cab Sauvignon; Hidden Legend Winery NV Peach Mead; Hightower Cellars 2009 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Red Wine; Hightower Cellars 2008 Red Mountain Red Wine; The Hogue Cellars 2010 Reserve Chardonnay; Kestrel Vintners 2009 Tribute; Kestrel Vintners 2009 Semillon Ice Wine; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2009 Merlot; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2010 Chardonnay; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2011 Estate Dry Riesling; Kiona Vineyards Winery 2011 Riesling; Locati Cellars 2008 Innovation; Locati Cellars 2008 Barbera; Martinez & Martinez Winery 2010 Dominio de Martinez Cabernet Sauvignon; Mercer Estates Winery 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; Milbrandt Vineyards 2011 The Estates Ancient Lakes Riesling; Milbrandt Vineyards 2010 Traditions Cabernet Sauvignon; Mount Baker Vineyards and Winery 2009 Proprietors Limited Release Malbec; Obelisco Estate 2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon; Obelisco Estate 2009 Les Gosses Vineyard Syrah; Orca Wines 2008 Merlot; Pacific Rim Winemakers 2011 Dry Riesling; Pend dOreille Winery 2010 Primitivo; Pend dOreille Winery 2010 Zinfandel; Purple Star Wines 2011 Rosé; Silver Lake Winery 2010 Roza Rosé; Smasne Cellars 2008 Phinny Hill Petit Verdot; Smasne Cellars 2010 Farm Boy Bunk House Red; AlmaTerra Wines 2010 Museum White; Smasne Cellars 2009 Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon; Sun River Vintners 2008 Nebbiolo; Sun River Vintners 2008 Syrah; Terra Blanca Winery & Estate Vineyards 2007 Signature Series Merlot; Thurston Wolfe Winery 2010 Howling Wolfe Zinfandel; Trio Vintners 2010 Riot; Upland Estates Winery 2010 Sauvignon Blanc; Upland Estates Winery 2011 Rosé; Yakima Valley Vintners 2009 Campus Red Blend.