The wines of Kelnan Wine Management are specifically selected with an eye for high winemaking standards while demonstrating tremendous value. In addition, each wine must have its own unique character and be fun to work with. In our years of experience, KWM understands value is a relative concept. We've often pondered the wisdom of plenty of $40-$50 Cabernets, Merlot, etc. that should have been priced in the low-teens. Conversely, we have enjoyed wines in the $30-$40 range that could easily compete against wines costing triple this amount. Our challenge is to find wines that stand for real value, represent their regions and tastes, and wines that are fun to drink by themselves or with friends and family with meals. For those who ascribe to this category, KWM offers the following:
WASHINGTON CALIFORNIA OREGON
Camaraderie Cellars, Port Angeles, Washington. Don and Vicki Corson have been making finely crafted European-styled wines since 1992. The wines are bold and assertive, yet also possess a refinement and finesse which makes them exceptionally well-balanced. They are a pleasure to drink by themselves or with full-flavored foods. While charming upon release, they will easily age for an additional 10-15 years. Exceptional fruit sources include Artz Vineyard on Red Mountain, Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, and Clifton Hill on the Wahluke Slope. Represented nationally. www.camaraderiecellars.com.
Chatter Creek, Woodinville, Washington. Chatter Creek specializes in small lot production Rhone and Bordeaux varietals. With a keen eye focused on individual vineyard characteristics, winemaker Gordy Rawson works hand-in-hand with growers from some of the best vineyards in Washington State (Clifton Hill/Wahluke Slope, Alder Ridge/Horse Heaven Hills, Lonesome Spring Ranch/Yakima Valley) to obtain the best possible fruit. Chatter Creek wines are finely crafted, elegant wines, made very much in an Old World style, while capturing the essence of New World fruit. Fermentation is done in small one ton containers, and aging takes place primarily in neutral oak, allowing the fruit to shine through. Represented nationally. www.chattercreek.com.com.
Donedei Wines, Tenino, Washington. Donedei is a very small (1,000 cases +/-) producer of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. These are simply some of the finest examples of these varietals we have ever tasted! The vineyard sources are largely from Red Mountain (Artz, Ciel du Cheval, and Tapteil) with additional fruit from the very impressive Elephant Mountain Vineyard of the upper Yakima Valley. One hundred percent free-run juice, small batch fermentation, judicious amounts of oak, and exquisite winemaking result in absolutely stunning wines. Represented nationally. www.Donedei.com.
Hightower Cellars, Red Mountain, Washington. Located on Red Mountain, Hightower Cellars produces very small quantities of finely hand-crafted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, in addition to several remarkable Cabernet/Merlot blends. Grapes are handpicked and handsorted from outstanding vineyard sources: Artz, E & E Shaw on Red Mountain, Pepper Bridge in Walla Walla, and Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Winemaking duties are shared equally by the husband and wife team of Tim & Kelly Hightower, who will soon begin to use fruit from their own 10-acre estate vineyard on Red Mountain. Small batch fermentation, considerable barrel time, and gentle gravity racking result in rich and robust wines that also possess elegance and finesse. Represented nationally. www.hightowercellars.com.
Kiona Vineyards Winery, Red Mountain, Washington. An area pioneered by the Williams family, there was no agricultural development on Red Mountain prior to the planting of their vineyards in 1975. Their vision and conviction that Red Mountain could grow exceptional wine grapes transformed the region, and Red Mountain has become an internationally recognized growing area that produces wines rivaling the best in the world. Kiona Winery offers a variety of stunning wines that range from crisp, fruity dry Riesling, rich, robust Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah to luscious Chenin Blanc Ice Wine. The wines, in many instances, are produced from twenty-five to thirty-year old vines and many are made from 100% free-run juice. The result is a collection of wines that over-deliver on quality while being very reasonably priced. Represented nationally. www.Kionawine.com.
Mannina Cellars, Walla Walla, Washington. Mannina Cellars is a small, family-owned winery located in Walla Walla. Fruit is sourced exclusively from the Walla Walla AVA, including Birch Creek Vineyard and the renowned Seven Hills Vineyard. Don Redmond, owner/winemaker, recently broke ground on Cali Vineyard, Mannina's 50-acre estate vineyard located near Birch Creek. Mannina wines are restrained and elegant; decidedly European in style. Wines are fermented in small open-top containers, hand-punched, gently racked and are unfiltered and unfined. Current wines include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cali, a Bordeaux-style blend. Represented nationally. www.manninacellars.com.
