Established in 2001, Forgeron Cellars’ latest opening in Leavenworth is the third addition to their line-up (with opportunities to taste in Woodinville, as well as the flagship tasting room and winery in Walla Walla).
Cody Janett was promoted to head winemaker in 2018 when Forgeron’s founding winemaker Marie Gilla relocated into a new winemaking position at Valdemar Estates. Cody grew up in Royal City, with a background in farming, but he developed a passion for wine while traveling to Greece and Italy, exploring cellars throughout the region along the way. Making wines at home in high school piqued his interest towards a career in winemaking, leading him to enroll in Walla Walla Community College’s Enology and Viticulture program in 2011 as one of the youngest students to enter the program at age 18.
After interning with Forgeron during harvest that year, Cody then continued his work with the winery throughout the rest of his schooling, ultimately staying on full-time.
The new Leavenworth tasting room is inside The Wine Cellar building, among a collection of several other tasting rooms off Main Street. Large, comfortable armchairs and the chance to play a game of shuffleboard make it a fun atmosphere to enjoy a flight and explore wines like their value-driven BlackSmith tier.
You can visit Forgeron’s new place at 217 9th Ave NE, Leavenworth or learn more at www.forgeroncellars.com
Below are 2 releases we recently reviewed:
Forgeron Cellars 2017 BlackSmith Rouge GSM, $25
Editor’s Choice – Excellent (88-90 pts.)
Rich black cherry and cassis flavors dominate this smooth and approachable GSM blend (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre). Deftly nuanced with spiced red berry, white pepper, crushed gravel and sage notes textured with fine tannins that offer nice grip on the savory finish.
Forgeron Cellars 2018 BlackSmith Blanc, $25
Editor’s Choice – Excellent (88-90 pts.)
This Rhône varietal white wine offers floral aromas of honeysuckle and pear that lean toward apricot, white peach, lemon pith, limestone and notes of lanolin on the crisp dry palate.