Located in the fast growing Artisan Hill Warehouse District of Woodinville, owner and winemaker Lisa Callan is a proven talent whose time has come to shine on her own. Recently the assistant winemaker for Red Sky Winery (where she worked since 2013), Lisa came to a crossroad when her boss decided to retire and close the winery. “This is where the wheels really started turning,” says Lisa. “Go big or go home.”
Her husband Mike was a huge encouragement. “You can’t go home, there is no place for you to park your car because you have filled the garage with too much wine and winemaking equipment,” he told her. “It’s time to go big, you got this.”
“I went from thinking I could never do this on my own, to taking my wine legit,” says Lisa, a graduate of Washington State University’s enology program. Moving at mach speed, she opened the doors to her tasting room in June of 2017. “It’s been crazy fast. I have received so much encouragement and help from other women winemakers in the industry; it’s just been amazing.”
She produces three Bordeaux varietal red wines from select Columbia Valley AVA vineyards and reports she’ll be adding a few others with the 2017 harvest. Her Yakima Valley white wines are gorgeous, sleek and exciting.
“I really love acidic, citrusy white wines that are not the usual Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio,” Lisa says. “When I found out that Picpoul, a lesser known Rhone varietal was grown in Washington by Boushey Vineyards, I just had to get my hands on it. It was love at first taste.” She also crafts a well-made Grenache Blanc from Boushey Vineyards, an impeccably managed site in the Yakima Valley.
Callan Cellars 2016 Boushey Vineyard Picpoul Yakima Valley, $21
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
A rare variety in the state, this version is a profound example of Washington-grown Picpoul. Vivid, crisp and lively, there’s a dazzling beam of mouthwatering acidity that hums steadily behind tangy notes of fresh lemon, river rock and limestone.
Callan Cellars 2016 Boushey Vineyard Grenache Blanc, $24
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
This medium-bodied dry white wine is vibrant and complex, with a core of green apple, Asian pear, lime peel and honeysuckle flavors deftly layered with notes of dried green herbs and saline minerality on the tantalizing finish.
Callan Cellars 2015 Meritage, $30
Editor’s Choice – Excellent (88-90 pts.)
This smooth and appealing red blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon displays aromas of red fruit and floral violet with vibrant acidity and fine tannins. The palate is bursting with cherry, raspberry and ripe plum flavors detailed with accents of vanilla and cedar on the finish.
Visit: 18742 142nd Ave NE, Woodinville; open Sat 12-5pm or Sun by appt, www.callancellars.com