Patterson Cellars [July 2020]

Hey guys, welcome back to Woodinville, Washington!! Now that we have last week’s winery safely behind us, we’re not going to be traveling that far to get to stop number two, [I mean Woodinville isn’t that big to begin with!! LOL] Patterson Cellars. The great thing [per Shawn] is that we pulled into a general parking area and then we were able to just walk to our last couple tastings rooms!! I felt the difference right away when we walked into this place. Not just the beautiful pergola covered patio with all its greenery, but the staff was so welcoming. I could tell that this place was definitely more my style. Shawn even decided to come in and join me!!

I thought it was pretty cool that I had worked with a gal by the name of Heather Patterson [actually at two different hospitals over different years] in the past. I immediately texted her to ask about her family’s secret winery up in Washington!! Haha!! I bought her a Patterson Cellars t-shirt and picked up an extra wine glass to take back home for her. Sadly [or more like pathetically] they are both still sitting in my office closet!! I have changed hospitals multiple times and then she moved to Northern Arizona. I know, excuses... excuses... but I still have them and still hope to meet up with her one day so I can give them to her!!

Owner and winemaker, John Patterson opened Patterson Cellars in the year 2000. The first of his current five wine tastings rooms is in what they call “The Warehouse District” in Woodinville, WA. He had previously worked the harvest at Quilceda Creek Winery for 13 years up in Snohomish, WA. He became drawn to the science of winemaking, and he saw the process as “a unique puzzle as you approach harvest to produce wines that are consistent from year to year.” As someone who loves to puzzle, I loved this comparison!! John’s mission is to create wines that appeal to the public that offer that consistency year after year that he was talking about.

Patterson Cellars offers something for everyone. Including: [but not limited to] robust red blends, classic white wines, lively sparkling rosés, and lush dessert wines. In 2012, John opened the second tasting room in Woodinville’s Hollywood Hill Winery District. This is the location that Shawn and I were visiting on this lovely, overcast and rainy day. [I mean we are after all in Washington!! Haha] For this reason we are not sitting outside on the patio. When I’m tasting wine by myself, I often like to sit up at the bar so I can be closer and talk to the sommelier as much as I want. LOL The photo blow shows the wines form the tasting I chose.

Since I am such an accomplished conversationalist, [Hahaha] I was offered an additional taste of one of their dessert wines!! It could actually have been because we were practically the only ones in the place, but I love it when they do this!! [it actually happens quite frequently] Patterson Cellars has such a fun atmosphere with a friendly and accommodating staff, I can see why they have so many tasting rooms. The third Patterson Cellars tasting room was opened in 2017 in Leavenworth, WA known for its 1960’s authentic Bavarian Village theme in the center of town. You can do your wine tasting on Front Street or come back to join the bi-annual Leavenworth Wine Walk!!

The fourth tasting room was opened shortly after Leavenworth, in Seattle. With indoor and outdoor seating, this modern and lofty but inviting location is “bringing wine country to the city” in the form of a Patterson Cellars tasting room. The newest addition [their ACE.. if you’ve watched Maverick LOL] is a winery and production facility, formerly known as the Tertulia Winery in Walla Walla. The winery sits on about 14 acres in the famous Southside District. The property offers great views of the Blue Mountains and acres of mature vines to walk through. Plus, they are pet friendly!!

Today, Patterson Cellars produces over 19,000 cases of wine each year and with five tasting rooms to choose from, you really have no excuse not to give them a visit!! Well, I guess unless you don’t live in or are visiting Washington. Hehe!!

I really did enjoy the tasting here and I went home with more than just the t-shirt and extra glass for my friend, Heather. I also took a couple bottles with me!! Haha!!

See you next week where Wine with Wixy will be stopping in at our last tasting room for the day in Woodinville!!

Cheers to you my wine loving friends, and TTFN!!