After 35 years of making wine in Washington State, Brian Carter knows quite a bit about the state’s viticultural depth and range. He’s spent years in the vineyards and winery, so he knows that to create balance in his wines he must have balance in the vines. Brian Carter Cellars sources more than 22 varietals from over a dozen different vineyards throughout central and eastern Washington. “In warmer years, our cooler sites typically yield better fruit and in cooler years, the warm site vineyards tend to shine,” Brian says. “By sourcing fruit from both types of vineyards we can always find gems and create wines of balance in the fruit, acid, and tannins.”
In addition to producing wines from a wide range of grape varieties, Brian Carter makes his wine in very small lots to insure quality and consistency. Instead of producing field blends or co-fermenting several different grape varietals, each wine is crafted separately so it can develop its own distinctive character. This allows Brian to use a large palette of colors, aromas, flavors, and textures in creating his blends.
Brian Carter Cellars was one of the first small wineries in Woodinville, Washington to open a stand-alone tasting room back in 2006. Brian and Managing Partner Mike Stevens still greet their guests in a small, yellow house. It’s an unassuming venue for a winery that is consistently considered among the top wineries in the state. The tasting room provides ample outdoor seating where, weather permitting, guests enjoy a wonderful view of the Sammamish River Valley and Mount Rainier, and of course, the fabulous wines.
While Brian and Mike wait to build their dream winery nearby, they’ll focus on making great wines at great value prices. They’ll also treat their growing number of loyal guests and wine club members to an entertaining and educational wine experience, just 20 minutes away from downtown Seattle.
WHAT TO BUY
’07 Solesce – $50
Black cherries, blueberries, licorice, mint, toasted vanilla, cassis
’08 Tuttorosso – $30
Wild blackberries, hint of white truffles, late season flowers
’09 Byzance – $30
Ripe cherries, bit of spice
CONTACT
425-806-9463
info@briancartercellars.com
briancartercellars.com
TASTING
Tasting Room Open Daily 12–5
14419 Woodinville-Redmond Rd. NE
Woodinville, WA 98072
SPECIAL NOTES
Scenic outdoor seating, wine club events and discounts, winemaker dinners, private tastings by appointment, pet friendly.
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
