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South Seattle Artisan Winery Tour
South Seattle, once known as the industrial hub of the city, is now gaining notoriety for something much more glamorous- wine! You've probably passed close by a winery in the South Seattle area and not even known about it. Ever taken the Michigan Street exit off of I-5? You've driven by Fall Line winery! Ever been to Safeco Field? Yep- more wineries.
We all know how dreary the weather in Seattle can get. So, on one rainy afternoon I decided to strike out and find my own cheer. It was that or clean my house. What would you do? A few quick calls to confirm that the wineries were open and I was on my way to the South Seattle Artisan Wineries (SSAW). SSAW is the winery association that bands together the small wineries in South Seattle. There are three main areas in the SSAW; SODO, Georgetown and South Park.
Cadence Winery, in South Park, was having an open house and I hadn't see Ben Smith and Gaye McNutt (owners) in years. I used to volunteer at their winery and wanted to revisit the wines I remembered to be excellent. Very nearby is OS Winery and winemaker Bill Owen, always a character, can definitely cheers things up. South Park it was!
Both wineries had changed locations since I had last visited, so it was a little challenging finding them without directions. Odds are not good that you will stumble upon these wineries, so be sure to check each winery website for a map or directions.
There was a good sized crowd at Cadence Winery, where Ben and Gaye were pouring the latest releases along with some library selections. Cadence wines are now exclusively made with Red Mountain fruit and the focus of their wine is Bordeaux style. They make two Bordeaux style blends named for the vineyard from which the grapes are grown; Tapteil Vineyard and Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. They also produce two Bordeaux style blends with grapes sourced from their own Cara Mia Estate Vineyard, Camerata and Bel Canto. All four current release wines are from the 2007 vintage.
Tasting the 2001 Camerata (which was produced partially from grapes from Spring Valley Vineyard in Walla Walla) was a treat. The fruit and structure were still in place promising still more time in the cellar and more years of enjoyment. The 2007 Camerata is now produced exclusively from the Cara Mia Estate Vineyard and was a personal favorite from the current releases. Cadence wines are definitely made for the cellar. Visit the Cadence Winery website to join their mailing list and attend future open house events. I was off to the next winery.
Enter OS Winery and meet Bill Owen, who was entertaining a small group of extremely happy wine enthusiasts. OS Winery is also in a warehouse setting, with a finished tasting room in front and the winery production facilities in the back.
Classical music was blaring as Bill led his jovial group to a back room padded-off for secondary fermentation. The barrels were sprayed down each morning with a fine mist to keep the humidity at a high level. Bill explained to the group this process controlled alcohol levels in the wine and each person was given a barrel sample in order to experience wine at this stage of production.
As the group filed out to purchase wine back in the tasting room, Bill hopped on top of the barrels for his "Napoleon" photo op. You never know what you are going to get when you visit Bill, but you know it will be fun. If you enjoy loud rock music, be sure to ask him to bust out his electric guitar next time you visit!
:Nota Bene Cellars, which is in the same building complex, was not open on that day so I headed off to Fall Line Winery in Georgetown. About 5 minutes later I was heading toward I-5 on S Michigan Street. The rain had let up, but the dampness hung in the air as the sun was starting to disappear from the sky. I turned up 6th Ave S knowing the winery was very close, but there was little indicator that anything was going on. Pretty much everything was grey and quiet and a thought crossed my mind that I should just head to the warmth of my cozy couch, but I found the address to Fall Line Winery and decided to push on.
I opened the winery door and the warm sound of happy wine tasters poured out. Inside was a festive scene and I was glad I was there. The happy faces of Tim Sorenson and his wife Nancy Rivenburgh greeted me as I entered. Tim was pouring 3 new release wines and 3 from the previous vintage, and Nancy was busy replenishing their artisan cheese and cured meat spread and filling wine orders as they were placed by satisfied customers.
Tim and I volunteered together at Cadence Winery in 2001. Tim worked many vintages with Ben at Cadence and honed his fine winemaking skills while holding down a day job as an economics professor. Nancy is also a professor of Communications. After several years of playing student and learning every aspect of winemaking, Tim and Nancy formed Fall Line Winery and moved to their current location in 2004. Because each still have their day job, they only open their doors for pre-arranged private tastings and SSAW weekends.
Fall Line Winery produces wine made from Bordeaux grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Malbec are the main grape varieties of Bordeaux). The 2007 Exhibition was a big fruity wine, but the 2007 Artz Vineyard Red Blend was the hit of the day. A personal favorite of mine was the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Yakima Valley. It was interesting to taste the 2006 and 2007 wines side by side to witness not only natural variations in vintages, but see how a young winemaker's style progresses.
As the clock rounded five, people made no effort to leave and Tim seemed happy to continue chatting about the craftsmanship that he puts into each wine. His wines have been awarded some impressive scores and I look forward to checking back in with this winery for years to come.
The wineries of SSAW will open their doors again the first two weekends in December 2009. Check the SSAW website for the most up to date event information and an excellent printable map. Hint: wine is one holiday gift that may be more fun to buy as it is to give. Is that so wrong?
SODO wineries include SODOVINO, Elsom Cellars, Falling Rain Cellars and Stomani Cellars & Winery.
Georgetown wineries include Fall Line Winery.
South Park wineries include OS Winery, Cadence Winery, :Nota Bene Cellars.