Darby English’s journey in winemaking is as complex as the wines he produces each year. After more than two decades of honing his craft, his Winery has rightfully earned its place in conversations regarding the best wines coming out of Washington State.
Darby English & his faithful companion Ash.
Darby’s passion for wine was ignited in his early 20s while he was playing golf for Oregon State University. Like many college students, he was more familiar with beer than wine, typically the more affordable, mass-produced kinds. The turning point came during a dinner at his then girlfriend’s parents’ home. Her mother, an excellent chef, and her father, a serious wine collector, introduced him to the world of fine wine.
In their cellar, he received an impromptu education on wines from California, Bordeaux, and the Rhône Valley. The experience of enjoying a special bottle of wine with a meticulously prepared dinner left an indelible impression on him. “Something just clicked…it was like ‘wow, ok I get this now—a special bottle of wine that tasted so different…I was fascinated by what just happened.”
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In the ever-evolving world of wine, trends are like fine vintages—they come and go, leaving a distinct mark on the palate of the industry.
Mari Womack.
Lately, two prominent trends have been swirling through the wine culture challenging traditional notions and reshaping the way we approach the world of wine: the increasing demand for low or no-alcohol alternatives and the rise of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails. These trends not only signify a shift in consumer preferences but also pose new challenges for winemakers as they navigate an increasingly competitive market.
Mari Womack, owner and winemaker of Damsel Cellars has been bucking these and other trends since she began her odyssey by doing one thing: staying focused on producing high quality wine.
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Ashley Trout.
Some people are born into the world of wine, some people are drawn to it later in life, and in Ashley Trout’s case, some are simply destined for it. Ashley established her two brands Brook & Bull Cellars and Vital Wines in 2016, 10 years after founding her first winery. The former is staking its place among Washington’s elite, and the latter is a non-profit winery in which 100% of its proceeds are donated toward improving access to healthcare for local vineyard workers.
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Thomas Woodley & Chris Peterson.
A recent trip to Woodinville, Washington gave us the opportunity to catch up with Chris Peterson, winemaker and co-founder at Avennia Wine. Joining Chris was Thomas Woodley, Avennia’s National Sales Director. It was a great opportunity to hear first-hand what is going on within the Washington wine scene from two people who have been an important part of that scene for the past two decades. It was also a chance to taste the current vintages of Avennia’s terrific line up of wines.
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