Jen and I went to visit Chelan Estate Winery for the first time, on a very hot summer day. We were not at all sad to leave cloudy and cool Seattle behind for some adventures in the Lake Chelan wine valley!
We were a bit terrified by the winding one-way driveway up the hill, but we survived (and you will too!) We paused to admire the Chelan Estate Winery’s estate vineyards.
Inside the tasting room, we were helped by Craig, a former wine club member who got his arm twisted into working in the tasting room. He shared the history of Chelan Estate Winery with us, talking about winemaker Bob Broderick, his wife Mary and their idea to bring the first Pinot Noir to the Chelan area.
Later, Craig told us a story about the 2015 Merlot running out because deer ate half the grapes after a fire one year. Ah, so that’s why it says “Sold out” on the website.
Chelan Estate Winery’s Rosé wine is a surprising blend of Merlot with 10% Chardonnay and 10% Viognier. I had not yet heard of such a blend combination!
The view from the tasting room patio is incredible – you’re really high up and can see for such a long way.
There are several seating areas along the long patio – plenty of room for tourists and wine tasters to sit, relax and take in the gorgeous view.
There was plenty of shade and we enjoyed spying on neighboring tasting rooms – we’re sort of snoopy ladies!
The current wine tasting lineup at Chelan Estate Winery is a Chardonnay-Viognier; the 2017 Rosé; the 2017 Estate Pinot Noir; a Reserve Red; and a Petit Verdot (I collect those, so I was excited!)
You can also taste another red, but to be honest I can’t read the font on the bottle and can’t tell you the name of it!
Jen is always so eager to try a Rosé – it’s her favorite style of wine.
She couldn’t bear to dump this one like professional wine reviewers would have to do (in order to taste more wines in a single day). Good thing we’re amateur wine bloggers not professional wine reviewers – we could enjoy every last drop of our Rosé wine! (We of course are extremely careful not to drive under the influence).
Jen and I normally split tastings to cut down on alcohol and calories, but I wanted a glass pour of the Rosé all to myself!
Chelan Estate Winery has won so many awards for their wines, they just casually display them in the tasting room. Bob and Mary Broderick were visionaries, planting their vineyards in the 1990s. It was a pleasure to tour the winery and learn about its wines and origins.
Thanks to Craig for a memorable afternoon!
-Carrie
Chelan Estate Winery is located at 755 S Lakeshore Rd, Chelan, WA 98816.
RESOURCES:
Chelan Estate Winery Website
Chelan Estate Winery on Facebook
Chelan Estate Winery on Instagram