Lake Chelan’s Rare Gem : Pinot Noir at Hard Row to Hoe

When wine lovers think of Pinot Noir, they usually look south to Oregon or Burgundy. But here in the Lake Chelan AVA, Pinot Noir is a rare treasure — and we’re one of the few wineries brave (or foolish, depending on your perspective 😉) enough to coax it into the glass.

Pinot is famously finicky, often called the “heartbreak grape.” Thin skins, tight clusters, and a love-hate relationship with climate make it a grape that’s tough to grow in most of Washington. But in our little pocket of Lake Chelan, the moderating influence of the lake and our unique glacial soils create a sweet spot: cool enough to preserve elegance and acidity, warm enough to ripen the fruit to silky perfection.

That’s why our 2022 Estate Pinot Noir is such a special vintage. It’s a true expression of our microclimate: bright red cherry and raspberry fruit layered with subtle spice and a whisper of earthiness. The texture is pure Pinot — delicate yet complex, silky but structured. We fermented it with native yeast to let the vineyard speak, then aged it with a light hand so the terroir could shine.

In a valley where Cabernet Franc and Syrah often steal the spotlight, Pinot Noir remains the rebel — a little rarer, a little riskier, and definitely worth the work. (After all, we named the winery Hard Row to Hoe for a reason.)

👉 Taste the 2022 Lake Chelan Pinot Noir here — while it lasts. With limited plantings in the valley, it won’t be around for long.