Mari (pronounced Mary) Womack has been earning respect and praise for crafting singular wines of distinction since her inaugural 2012 and 2013 releases of Cabernet and Syrah [eaerning her “winemaker to watch” in Washington Tasting Room Magazine’s Summer 2016 issue]. Mari’s killer winemaking instincts and trusted palate honed from her earlier restaurant background are consistently spot-on.
In those beginning months Mari sold wine in a corner of a tasting room shared with Three of Cups Winery, quickly attracting attention for her sharply focused, high-caliber Rhône and Bordeaux varietal wines. Most, but not all, of the reds are single-vineyard bottlings made from premium fruit grown in the Yakima Valley, Horse Heaven Hills and Royal Slope AVAs where Mari has strong grower connections. Her selection of white wines are increasing; the latest is a Pinot Gris, a clean and refreshing Yakima Valley version.
The winery just branched out in Woodinville with a second tasting room located in the Hollywood District (near Purple Café) and is open seven days a week. The flagship winery facility at the Artisan Hill District still operates Fridays and weekends.
Lancelot be forewarned: there is no damsel in distress here. Only world-class wines of distinction worth rescuing for your own personal pleasure.
Reservations are recommended at both locations. The Hollywood District tasting room is located at 14467 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Woodinville, W. The Artisan Hill District flagship tasting room and winery is at 18746 142nd Ave NE, Woodinville, WA. Check website for hours and reservations at www.damselcellars.com.
Below are two releases we recently reviewed:
Damsel Cellars 2020 Boushey Vineyard Grenache
94 pts.
Intensely aromatic and concentrated, this single-vineyard Yakima Valley red is ultra expressive with strawberry-rhubarb and currants exotically layered with leather, white pepper, bay leaf and sage. The flavors grow expansive, gaining uplift on the colossal finish, joined by plum and mineral spice etched into the fine, firm structure. $38
Damsel Cellars 2022 Persephone Pinot Gris
92 pts.
Fermented in a combination of concrete egg and stainless steel tank lends a clean freshness to the mouthfeel, streaming with an abundance of honeysuckle, yellow apple and lemon aromas and flavors. Notes of green melon, pear and mineral inflections chime in on the zesty finish. Sourced from Zillah Ranch in the Yakima Valley AVA. $28