Bartholomew Winery

Open: Year Round

Our Story

Although for us the love affair for wine may be short according to some, our journey feels like a love affair with moments both sublime and ridiculous.  But like most love affairs, looking back we remember the happy times best - the things that drew us in, attracted us in the first place, the things that kept us coming back.  We have never regretted the unexpected left turn that dropped us in the wine business.  We have long believed that good wine, food, and life long friendships are about risk.  Whether it's producing a wine varietal that is lesser known, such as Carmenere or Aligote, winemaking without a formal education while learning from industry experts and mavericks alike, or using marketing strategies that cost little to nothing to use while on a monthly budget that would make most normal people lose sleep; expecting to sell out each and every vintage.  Somehow, someway, we have managed to get to where we are...a winery.

A Little History....Appetizer

No vineyard, no wine heritage to draw from, no chateau on the ridge, and mostly volunteer work experience behind a tasting bar.  So how does one find themselves in the wine industry?  This is how it happened for us.

While the owner of a mortgage brokerage, an applicant listed "winemaker" as their occupation. Natural curiosity and a serving attitude resulted in a wine tasting.  The proverbial bubble was popped, done, finished!  The mouth-watering experience tickled tastebuds like never before. And to this unsuspecting business man, the love affair started.  Every spare opportunity resulted in more and more wine tasting, periodicals, books, and eventually "work" in the wine industry.  A few short years later, Bart and Chona found themselves with a business plan, entrepreneurial history, and a hunger for success.

Now the Entree....

In 2004 with a background in chemistry and biology from undergraduate studies, and the impatience of a hungry predator eager to snatch the life of its prey, the Fawbush's thought they were ready to own a winery.  To no ones surprise, the first attempt failed miserably.  The result....a wounded reputation, loss of friendship, and legal action.  But most of all, a desire to make things right and realize their dreams.  Like most successful people, some sort of undesired failure is inevitable.  Afterall, the idea is to realize mistakes made and correct them.

After much careful thought in 2007 Bartholomew Winery was created.  This time a different approach, no partnerships, and close attention to detail.  A new start, with new relationships, and renewed focus.  In 2010 a tasting room in the historic Old Rainier Brewery was opened to the public for weekly tastings.  Also in that year, we said goodbye to our winemaking consultant eager to make changes that will be reflected in forthcoming vintages.  Stay tuned....

Dessert.....

What does the future hold for our winery?  Only time will tell.  Increased traffic since opening the tasting room, wholesale distribution that continues to expand exponentially, and a growing wine club.  We are told this is the way to winery success.