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.