Walla Walla Valley wines took home about three dozen awards at the 2011 Seattle Wine Awards, which were announced last week.

The competition, Washington’s largest and most comprehensive independent wine recognition program, was founded in 2006 by Executive Director Christopher Chan, according to a news release.

Chan said the competition has grown from 274 entries in 2006 to 909 entries this year.

The tasting panel was composed of Seattle wine directors, buyers and distributors,educators and sommeliers. Panelists knew the varietal, but not the price or producer of the wine, according to information on the Seattle Wine Awards site. The tasting was single blind, which means that although panelists were in the dark about the wines’ identities, contest administrators were not.

Walla Walla Valley wines received 37 double gold awards in 18 categories.

Double gold awards went to:

2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle chardonnay

2009 Buty Winery Buty semillon, sauvignon and mascadelle

2010 Cadaretta SBS

2010 Va Piano, “Bruno’s Blend White II”

2010 Rasa Vineyards Vineyards “The Lyricist”

2008 Forgeron Cellars “Blacksmith Syrah”

2008 Kontos syrah

2008 Otis Kenyon syrah

2006 Skylite Cellars syrah

2008 Tertulia Cellars syrah

2008 Dusted Valley Vintners “Tall Tales” syrah

2008Spring Valley “Nina Lee” syrah

2008 Le Chateau Winery “Castle Red”

2008 Sinclair Estate Vineyards “Pentatonic”

2007 Plumb Cellars “Damn Straight”

2007 Basel Cellars “Inspired”

2007 For Walla Walla Cellars “Treaty”

2007 Fort Walla Wall Cellars “Reserve”

2008 Le Chateau Winery “Masterpiece Red”

2008 Pepper Bridge Winery “Seven Hills Vineyard Blend”

2008 Spring Valley “Uriah Red Wine”

2007 Dumas Station Wine Estates cabernet sauvignon

2007 Basel Cellars cabernet sauvignon

2007 Dumas Station Wines “Minnick Hills Reserve” cabernet sauvignon

2008 Pepper Bridge Winery cabernet sauvignon

2007 Walla Walla Vintners cabernet sauvignon

2008 Woodward Canyon “Artist Series” cabernet sauvignon

2007 Woodward Canyon “Old Vines” cabernet sauvignon

2008 DaMa Wines merlot

2007 Northstar Winery merlot

2008 Three Rivers Winery cabernet franc

2008 Basel Cellars cabernet franc

2009 Walla Walla Vintners sangiovese

Dusted Valley Vintners grenache

2008 Dusted Valley Vintners malbec

2008 Five Star Cellars malbec

2008 Three Rivers Winery malbec.