Wine time! | Boutique wineries springing up in Issaquah and surrounding areas

It’s no secret that Washington has established itself as a premiere wine destination, with over 43,000 acres of planted vineyards, mostly in eastern Washington, where the geography and conditions are ripe for producing good fruit.

Several small, or boutique wineries, exist right here in our backyard, all of them sourcing their grapes from one of the 13 American viticultural areas (AVAs) in the state.

Scott and Margaret Fivash started making wine in 2006, releasing their first vintage at the end of 2010. Located in Sammamish at 602 234th Ave. S.E., Scott turned his once wood shop/man cave into what is now filled with 100 barrels of wine. Scott said he was a wine collector, but as the former publisher of Washington CEO magazine, a feature on the “Best of Washington Wines” lit the fire.

The couple moved to Walla-Walla to learn more about the business. Margaret earned an Associate of Applied Arts degree in Enology and Viticulture at Walla-Walla Community College Institute for Enology and Viticulture and Scott attended the Wine Executive program at UC Davis. They both worked at various wineries for three years to gain experience.

They moved back to their property in Sammamish in 2009 and decided to have the winery there on what he calls their hobby farm, complete with miniature horses and llamas. They source most of their grapes from Walla Walla, but they get their Chardonnay from Prosser, with plans to grow their own Chardonnay grapes at the farm.

Fivash has a huge selection including the very well-received C-Star, a Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The Wood shop Red, named after the old shop/man-cave is a blend of Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Fivash also produces a rosé.

Tastings are mostly by appointment and are held in their home on Fridays until 6 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information visit fivashcellars.com.

Micah and Heather Nasarow are at the helm of Cedar River Cellars in a warehouse off of Lake Kathleen Road Southeast in Renton. Micah is classically trained in the fermentation and food-processing industry.

“I’ve been doing this for years,” he said. “I enjoy the science.”

He worked in food science and quality control in agriculture for years and has also worked as a quality control manager for a beer brewing company and a sensory scientist for Starbucks, where his wife Heather was a coffee master.

The couple plans to bottle their first Cabernet Franc in three to four months. They produce about 500 cases a year, which Micah said may not sound like a lot, but it is considering all of the work it takes, plus he has a day job, too. Their Syrah is their flagship wine, with a Viognier that sells very well, too.

“We are working toward a sustainable business,” Micah said.

The winery and tasting room are located at 13018 Lake Kathleen Road S.E. with tastings Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. or by appointment. To learn more visit CedarRiverCellars.com.

For Sigillo Cellars, it all started with winemaker Steve Bailey, and father/son Mike and Ryan Seal, playing golf. Bailey started making wine for their own personal consumption, as a hobby in 1985. Mike and Ryan wanted to be a part of the hobby, so for 10 years they made wine for themselves and their friends. Bailey said the wines were “very well received.”

Bailey, retired from Homeland Security, attended the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle Community College to hone his craft.

The three men started in Woodinville, but in 2012 they moved to their present location at 8353 Meadowbrook Way S.E. in Snoqualmie.

Bailey said every wine is a best seller.

“Every wine gets sold out – we can’t keep pace with demand,” he said.

This year he said they might produce as much as 1,750 cases. Their 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is sold out, won Gold at the Seattle Wine Awards. Next month Sigillo will release the 2011 Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon, the sister to the Gold Medal winner.

All told, Bailey said they produce about 13 different wines, and have over 400 wine club members. He is excited about their first sparkling wine, made from the Viognier grape, coming out in May.

Sigillo also hosts “Corks and Canvas” about once a month where you sip on wine while creating your own work of art.

Hours are Friday from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. For more information visit sigillocellars.com.

Isabella Grace Winery is named after winemaker Tom Hornberg’s great aunt Isabella, who immigrated to the US from Italy in the early 1900s. He is a self-taught winemaker, sourcing his grapes from Yakima, Pasco and other eastern Washington AVAs.

Located at 28611 S.E. 204th St. in Hobart, Hornberg said he produces mostly red wines, with the Cabernet Sauvignon being the most popular in the last release. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot are all in the barrel now for bottling in a couple of months, which will be 2012 vintages. He said he produces an average of 250-300 cases per year.

Release parties and tastings are by appointment. For more information visit isabellagracewines.com.

Rod and Dona Ahrens have lived on Tiger Mountain for 33 years, with two large cedar trees gracing their property. Twin Cedars Winery is a now part of their property, after Rod, a retired carpenter, built the winery off the back of the garage.

Rod said they started making wine as an experiment.

“The first time I made wine everybody liked it, so we kept going,” he said.

He wanted to learn more so he attended the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle Community College. The year 2013 was the couple’s fifth as a licensed winery. They produced 330 cases in 2013.

The 2010 Twin Cedars Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot both won gold at the Seattle Wine Awards, although Rod said the 2011 Syrah has been their best seller. They just completed bottling of a 2013 Muscat, which is a semi-sweet dessert wine since the 2012 Muscat sold out.

Dona and the entire family help out. They have tastings Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at 26504 S.E. 146th St., Issaquah.

For more information visit twincedarswinery.com

Chuck Laird at Passion Vineyards sources from Spring Creek in the Red Mountain area of eastern Washington. He, too, started making wine as a hobby. He won a gold medal for his 2006 red blend from Wine Press Northwest. The 2006 Syrah Row 19 also received two separate bronze medals and recently, the 2009 Syrah received a silver medal at the Sunset Magazine International competition.

Karla Laird, an artist and photographer, designs all of their artistic and colorful labels.

Passion Vineyards produces about 500 cases of different varietals every year. Presently, they do not have a tasting room. For more information visit passionvineyards.com.

Estrin Estates in Issaquah is run by Rich and Violet Estrin. Rich is the self-taught winemaker, starting out making wine as a hobby in 2007.

In 2009 they became commercial, and now produce about 300 cases per year.

Rich said their passion is red wines, producing a Cabernet Franc, a Merlot based-blend, two Cabernet Sauvignons and a Syrah.

Rich also has a day job as a software developer, but that doesn’t seem to slow them down. Their 2010 Syrah made Seattle Met’s list of top 20 Washington Wines under $25 last year and the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon won gold at the Seattle Wine Awards.

They don’t have a tasting room, but they frequently have tastings at Capri Cellars, and they will be participating in the Feb. 7 wine walk in downtown Issaquah. For more information visit estrinestates.com.

WINE WALK RETURNS

The Downtown Issaquah Association begins its third annual Wine Walk Series on Feb. 7. This year new venues have been added with more music and wineries represented.

The walk is a first Friday of the month evening event with live music, art happenings, some snacks and local boutique wines poured in various tasting locations up and down Front Street. Shops and restaurants are open to the general public during Wine Walk and all ages are welcome.

Bring your own glass to venues ArtByFire Glass Blowing Studio, Illuminate, artEAST Art Center, First Stage and Village Theaters, Fischer Meats, CoHo Computers, U Swirl, Chicago Pastrami, Eastside Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. The Feb. 7 live musicians include the Travis Harnett Trio, Ali Marcus and Spooshine.

Wine Walk is a rain, snow or shine event. Buy tickets at downtownissaquah.com/wine-walk for $25 in advance or $30 at the event, which includes 10 one-ounce drink tokens. Check in starts at 6 p.m. at the historic Shell Station, 232 Front St. You must be 21 to purchase wine tasting tickets. Will call for pre-paid tickets require identification for the name tickets were purchased under.

Maps of tasting locations, plastic wine glass, tokens and wristband provided at check in.

Bottles of wines featured at the tastings are available for purchase at the Hailstone Feed Store. Subsequent Wine Walks are scheduled for March 7, April 4 and May 2. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Downtown Issaquah Association and valued nonprofit partners.