Lobo Hills owners Tony and Diana Dollar have a zest for life and each other. While the two have shared countless adventures, including traveling the country by van and motorcycle, Lobo Hills might never have existed had it not been for the occurrence of a terrible accident. In 2007, after being struck by a car while riding his bike and sustaining multiple injuries, Tony took a step back to re-evaluate his life and priorities. What he found was his commitment to family, faith and the enjoyment of life, especially when shared with friends over food and wine.
Tony decided to ditch his marketing and business development career and return to his earlier roots in wine, where he had formerly served on the hospitality side for big league California wineries. The couple used the settlement money from the accident to invest in Lobo Hills and Tony focused his passion by attending South Seattle College’s Northwest Wine Academy. He concentrated on wine production where he cultivated a minimalist approach to winemaking. One that honors the process to its fullest—with no chemical intervention, unrefined and unfiltered reds, minimal sulfites and using naturally found grape acids where appropriate.
An avid animal lover, Tony named the winery after a dog he fought to rescue as child. But to Tony and Diana the name has taken on greater meaning. “Fight good fights. Fight them to win. Drink good wine afterwards,” says Tony.
The wines are thoughtful, polished and skillfully crafted.
The tasting room is located at 18510 142nd Avenue NE in Woodinville and you can learn more at www.lobohills.com.
Lobo Hills 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $60
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Built with finesse, this version is sleek and rich, delivering concentrated flavors of cassis, blackberry and dark cherry fruit draped over elegant notes of anise and tobacco. Focused and well-balanced, made to charm any Cab lover.
Lobo Hills 2016 Yakima Valley Chenin Blanc, $22
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Stirred on the lees and finished in concrete egg, this version starts with enticing floral and honeyed aromas. Crisp and dry, fronted with juicy acidity on the palate, followed by minerally-infused flavors of yellow apple, dehydrated apricot, and appealing limestone and lemony citrus. The mineral notes hang in suspension on the lively finish.