Dave Larsen
Discovered wine in early 70’s while vacationing in Europe, impressed with how wine enhances a meal
Began learning about wine in general, started making blackberry wine as a hobby and gravitated towards drinking red Bordeaux and California Cabs
Spent several years contemplating starting my own business while employed in the Boeing Company Finance Department
Visiting wineries in Napa planted the seed for starting my own winery
Joined the Boeing Company Winemaking club in 1987 to begin making grape wine
Inspired by Quilceda Creek, Woodward Canyon and Leonetti, started winery in our garage in 1989
Build a new home in 1994 and constructed s detached garage on our property for the winery
Retired from The Boeing Company in 2004 to work full-time in the winery
Now in process of building a new home with a larger building for the winery
Currently producing about 1700 cases annually of six red wines: vineyard-designated wines from the Champoux and Ciel du Cheval vineyards, a Bordeaux blend named “Artist Series”, a Merlot named “Palisade”, a Syrah named “Commander Comet” and a second label named “Sundance”.
Grapes come from 11 vineyards: Dineen (Rattlesnake Hills), Champoux (Horse Heaven Hills), Weinbau and Riverbend, (Wahluke Slope), Boushey & Lewis (Yakima Valley), Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun and Kiona (Red Mountain), Bacchus and Dionysus (Columbia Valley)
Winemaking: Favor long-lived wines with good structure from tannin via extended maceration, use one ton open-top fermenters, aged 18 months in 40% new French oak barrels. Now moving toward a more elegant style with lower alcohol.
