Yakima Valley Vintners, Yakima Valley Community College’s teaching winery in Grandview, won four awards at the 31st Annual Tri-Cities Wine Festival this month.

The 2007 Syrah, 2008 Viognier and 2008 Mourvedre Rose received silver medals, while a 2008 Primitivo was given a gold medal. The wines were judged in a blind tasting alongside more than 300 professionally made wines.

The wines were made by students completing course work in the YVCC Enology and Viticulture programs over the last two years. They are marketed through the program at YVCC’s Grandview campus, which houses the winery and tasting room.

— Erin Snelgrove