Jen and I have been trying to get to visit Isenhower Cellars forever. They’re open Thursdays through Mondays, 12pm to 5pm. Most Woodinville wineries aren’t open on Mondays, so I was grateful to be able to make an appointment to stop in on a recent summer Monday around lunchtime.
Inside the tasting room, I met Susan, the wonderful tasting room manager. I was super embarrassed to discover my camera battery was dead – how unprofessional – but Susan reassured me and graciously allowed me to run home and return with a charged up battery.
Above is a picture of Denise and Brett Isenhower with their children. The Isenhower Cellars winery is one of Walla Walla’s oldest, founded in 1999!
As we got chatting, Susan asked where I live in Woodinville, and we discovered that my house stands on the exact land Susan’s parents used to own forty or so years ago, before my housing development was built. We essentially grew up in the same neighborhood – how cool is that?
Isenhower Cellars is a boutique winery with a limited production of wine – less than 5,000 cases a year are produced. They own their own bottling system so they can be “control freaks” about the way the wine is produced.
The Isenhower Cellars Woodinville tasting room is dog and kid friendly. It can be rented out for after hours events, bridal showers and birthday parties.
I love that they have thoughtfully set out some puzzles and games to play with while enjoying your wine.
This little shop area sells Isenhower Cellars logo items and some wine accessories.
Take a peek at all the delightful options on Isenhower Cellars’ current wine menu!
The first wine Susan poured for me was the 2017 Restoration White, a Roussanne. Susan explained that part of the proceeds from this wine are donated to the Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship.
I currently have a Roussanne collection at home (I’m possibly planning to do a big vertical tasting party soon) so I bought a bottle of this delicious white wine to take home.
My second pour was the 2017 Cabernet Franc Rosé, a 100% wine I found a bit smoky tasting (but delicious). The price point of $17 is really reasonable. Susan mentioned that the “I” label signifies a table wine.
Susan then switched to Isenhower Cellars’ red wines, and poured me the 2015 Jongleur, a Petit Verdot. I found it incredibly good, tasting of cherry. Susan mentioned that it could be laid down and enjoyed through 2027. (It certainly won’t last that long in my house!)
Less than 300 cases were made of this wine.
You can buy a gift box of Isenhower Cellars wines to surprise a wine-drinking loved one with!
Next I tasted the Wild Thyme Merlot, made from 97% Merlot with just a touch (3%) of Cabernet Franc to round it out. It’s a big, bold wine from Horse Heaven Hills. I really liked it, and purchased a bottle for my home cellar.
You’ll notice that many of their wine names are inspired by botanicals and have botanical plants pictured on the labels.
My final tasting pour was the 2015 A Bloc Malbec, a 100%. It’s named for a French cycling term that means “going all out.” It smelled fabulous and felt velvety in my mouth.
I truly wanted to linger on the adorable patio out front with a glass of wine, but didn’t dare spend the time on a Monday workday!
I really appreciated the time Susan spent teaching me about Isenhower Cellars and their wines. She’s fabulous! Stop in so you can meet her too!
Isenhower Cellars’ Woodinville tasting room is located at 15007 Woodinville-Remond Rd, Woodinville, WA 98072 in Woodinville’s West Valley district.
-Carrie
RESOURCES:
Isenhower Cellars on Instagram
Isenhower Cellars Woodinville Tasting Room on Yelp
