The West's best wines

Best Wine Bar

KAZIMIERZ WORLD WINE BAR
Scottsdale, AZ

With more than 3,200 wines ― made from more than 250 kinds of grapes grown in more than 45 countries ― plus a few great flatbreads, cavelike Kazimierz is worth a serious detour. The owner is Peter Kasperski, who's responsible for a lot of good eating and drinking around town. 7137 E. Stetson Dr.; 480/946-3004.

Best Tasting Room

THE TASTING ROOM
Seattle

The "wine-lovers' living room in the Pike Place Market," according to one of our Northwest judges, wine writer Paul Gregutt. Combo wine bar and wine shop, with seminars and guided tastings, the six-winery Tasting Room models urban tasting-room consortiums popping up in the West. Tastings from $2; in Post Alley; The Tasting Room or 206/770-9463.

Winemaker of the Year

DAVID RAMEY

He's worked at Chateau Pétrus (the world's most expensive Bordeaux), Dominus, and Rudd. Now, in Healdsburg, Ramey's making his own Chardonnays and Cabernets every bit their equal. And through his consulting, he's improving hundreds of thousands of cases of West Coast wine. rameywine.com