Wine Spectator senior editor Tim Fish is now the lead taster for the wines of Oregon and Washington. Fish, 57, has been working alongside editor at large Harvey Steiman, the longtime taster for both regions, for close to a year now. "The more I learn about Oregon and Washington, the more I enjoy and respect the wines," said Fish.
Since joining Wine Spectator in 2001, Fish has reviewed wine from California, principally Zinfandel, Rhône-style reds and sparkling wines. Based in Wine Spectator’s Napa, Calif., office, he was promoted to senior editor in 2013 and also assists with news and feature coverage for WineSpectator.com, for which he writes the popular blog Exploring Wine.
Fish has traveled to Oregon's Willamette Valley on multiple occasions, and accompanied Steiman on a lengthy trip to Washington wine country last year. They have also tasted more than 1,000 wines in blind tastings, side by side. "It has been crucial preparation for me," said Fish. "Harvey's passion for the two regions has been infectious, his experience essential."