Simpatico Cellars opened a tasting room in Woodinville’s Warehouse District in late 2019. It’s the journey of three winemakers who feel the best wines often come about through collaboration.
Co-owners Craig Sosey, Cassie Wistrom and Tim Steinke had all worked in wine prior to going into business together. They were part of the same production cohort at Northwest Wine Academy, but once they finished up, each went their separate way to hone their craft. Craig went on to work with Patterson Cellars in Woodinville, while Tim started a job at Betz Family Winery, and Cassie traveled to Napa to work with Lewis Cellars before coming back to the Northwest.
“We realized that we shared a similar passion for affordable wines of quality and character, low-intervention techniques, and that also corralled Washington’s ability to evoke a sense of savory minerality along with fruit vibrancy,” says Tim.
By design, the prices stay at an affordable price range for most, under $30, with several less then $20. “We call it real wine for real people,” says Tim. The lineup represents solid values to the savvy wine consumer who may be looking for boutique wines at an affordable price.
Visit: 19501 144th Ave NE, Ste. F-1200, Woodinville; (425) 610-9581, Sat 12-5pm, check the website for updated information at www.drinksimpatico.com
Below are four releases we recently reviewed:
Simpatico Cellars 2017 Coalesce
90 pts.
Displays vibrant freshness, with seamless dark fruit flavors of rich blackberry, plum, licorice, violet and tapenade accents. Refined tannins pick up subtle spice and dried thyme inflections on the smooth finish. $28
Simpatico Cellars 2017 The Bos Red Wine
90 pts.
A tribute to wine educator Peter Bos, this shows good concentration and structure, leading with high-toned red and black fruit flavors and layers of baker’s chocolate, fresh oregano, and forest floor. The mouthfeel builds, revealing a swath of black currant and loamy soil notes that add interest to the finish. $19
Simpatico Cellars 2018 The Fanatic
90 pts.
Made primarily with Albarino grown on a high altitude planting in the Yakima Valley, Dutchman’s Vineyard. Aromatic and floral, offering inviting honey blossom, jasmine, citrus, and ginger notes. Racy minerality greets the palate, spearheaded by fresh lime, star fruit and apricot flavors that flow in unity onto the lushly textured finish. $19
Simpatico Cellars 2019 Rosé
90 pts.
Lime-infused acidity injects a crisp note to the sleek feel, with alluring cherry, white stone fruit and tree blossom flavors. The light stony frame imparts a flickering of spice on the finish. $17