Wineries, Aged
Instrumental Washington Winemakers Through the Decades
From Quilceda Creek in 1979 to Prospice in 2019.
From left to right, David Larsen, Charles Smith, James and Poppie Mantone, Ernst Loosen, and Lacey and Charlie Lybecker.
► 1979: Quilceda Creek makes its first commercial wine—a cabernet sauvignon; it goes on to become arguably the most prestigious label in the state.
► 1989: Soos Creek creates its first wine in founder David Larsen’s garage, starting a 30-year legacy of unassuming excellence.
► 1999: Charles Smith launches K Vintners, focusing largely on single vineyard syrahs, and in doing so sets himself up to become a ruler of Washington wine.
► 1999: James and Poppie Mantone start Syncline Winery. Rhône-style wines in Washington are never the same.
► 1999: Ernst Loosen of Germany’s Dr. Loosen partners with Chateau Ste. Michelle to create Eroica and leads a U.S. riesling renaissance.
► 2009: Charlie and Lacey Lybecker found Cairdeas Winery, helping to put Lake Chelan on the appellational map.
► 2019: A new crop of wineries are already making waves this year. See Grosgrain and Prospice.
