Chelan Estate Winery

Open: Year Round

Those rare places that can grow grapes, that can produce world class wines, have much in common. A certain look, a certain feel, and the right soils, permeate these lands. Many are graced by the moderating influences of a great body of water. It was only a matter of time before vineyards came to the banks of Lake Chelan and indeed grapes have been grown here for decades.

We started a small experimental vineyard in the early 1990's. The results were mixed. But the critical lessons were learned. The grapes would survive the winters. The influence of the lake in both moderating winter cold and summer heat was clear. The growing season is warm but shorter in days. Selection of grape varieties would need to match those conditions leading some to believe that Lake Chelan would become exclusively a white wine region, hardly the case. It is true, Lake Chelan will never be noted for the late ripening reds like Cabernet Sauvignon but, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah and many other reds will flourish here.

Armed with the results of the test vineyard, we purchased nearly eight acres on the cooler South Shore. In the spring of 2000 we planted Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay and Viognier. The assumptions we made have proven correct. The vineyard thrives and we welcome you taste our wines and to judge for yourself if we made the right choices twelve years ago.