Rallying around a slogan of “wine, food and the great outdoors,” Leigh McMillan and Kristen Dorrity chose Bellingham for their second tasting room location when they decided to branch out from West Seattle. Welcome Road is named for a road near Mount Baker where Leigh and Kristen own a cabin. The pair have been making their Yakima Valley-sourced wines for well over a decade, with Leigh in charge of winemaking and Kristen heading up operations.
They specialize in fruit from the respected growers at Dineen Vineyards and Marcela Vineyard, both certified sustainable. “Our goal is to make wine that is approachable and unique with big flavors and balance, but on the lower side of alcohol levels and a great value for the price,” says Leigh. Inspired by French varieties, the winery is most known for red blends focusing on Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Both tasting rooms are welcoming with an easy going vibe and French ski lodge-inspired decor. Leigh describes them as “unpretentious neighborhood hangouts with plenty of patio space.” Bellingham visitors will find local artists’ works on display and noshing plates featuring locally produced cheese from Twin Sisters Creamery and jerky from Carnal, a restaurant nearby specializing in wood-fired cuisine.
The wines are a beacon of consistency, displaying loads of fresh fruit flavors evocative of the Yakima Valley AVA interlinked with the right amount of minerality, sunlit acidity and charisma.
Visit & Taste: $7 tasting fee, refunded with two-bottle purchase.
Bellingham tasting room: 300 W Champion St, Bellingham; (206) 486-0788, open Thur-Sun
West Seattle tasting room: 3804 California Ave SW, West Seattle, check website for hours at
www.welcomeroadwinery.com
Below are three releases we recently reviewed:
Welcome Road Winery 2019 Chaton
93 pts.
Juicy, with an undercut of firm tannins supporting piercing red fruit dominated by cherry and plum flavors. Ample spice, white pepper and unsweetened cocoa are filled in with warm cedar accents on the long finish. Flawlessly structured, this will be rewarded with an extra one to five years of cellar aging. $36
Welcome Road Winery 2019 Atelier
93 pts.
Leading with brooding dark fruit, this proprietary red delivers a deep flavor profile, packed with fresh blackberry and dark plum layered with roasted espresso and dark chocolate overtones. Spice and earthy mineral accents persist on the robust finish. $30
Welcome Road Winery 2020 Sauvignon Blanc
92 pts.
Enticing aromas of melon, lemon blossom and grapefruit abound. Sleek up front, with a pleasing fine thread of piano wire acidity that leverages green apple, fresh pear, lemon verbena and a hint of passion fruit on the balanced finish. $22