Five Star Cellars

The story of Five Star Cellars is all about family. The grapes are local, the business is run by the family—all locals — and they enjoy visitors stopping by to sample and share their love of wine.

Not to Fade Away

Five Star Cellars began as a retirement project for David Huse. After assisting at another winery, David realized he wanted to make small amounts of wine in his free time — the kinds of wines he loved to drink. Over time, he found that he enjoyed the project so much that he wanted to create a business out of his "project."

Beginning in 2000 with 120 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon, the winery grew in size as his son, Matt, decided that his passion had also become wine. Father and son teamed up in 2002, and Matt began the winemaking duties, while David began to market the wine. Currently producing 5,000 cases, Five Star continues to be a family-run operation. In fact, David's and Matt's wives work on the office side of the business.

Built for Wine

Matt started his career working in construction in the Walla Walla valley. After working on several tasting rooms and watching the process of winemaking, he became interested in changing careers and joining his father's growing business. In 2002 Matt entered the Walla Walla Community College Enology & Viticulture Program, developing the skills and gaining experience to produce exceptional wines.

As far as his winemaking philosophy goes, Matt strives to produce wines that are fruit forward, balanced, full bodied, with a good finish. He wants his wines to be drinkable now, but also age well. Matt's first vintage, the 2002 Merlot, received "Top 10 Merlot" and a score of 93 points from Wine & Spirits. The winery was named "Washington Winery to Watch" by Wine Press Northwest in the spring of 2006.

Wines Take Wing

To find Five Star, follow the airplanes: it's located at the Walla Walla Regional Airport. The building that Five Star occupies was a barracks during World War II. Prior to Five Star Cellars moving in, the building was a lumberyard and sales room, and it was remodeled in 2002.

The tasting room is designed to feel like home. A warm fireplace encourages visitors to stay and relax. Visitors have been known to pull up a chair to the tasting room's dining table and enjoy their "picnic" lunch inside during wet weather.

Lighted stars and greenery top the display areas, adding to the unpretentious and casual ambiance. Artwork from local artists can also be viewed while tasting wine. Visitors are treated to samples of all current releases at the time of tasting, and during the tour they may learn about the Five Star winemaking style and process.

All members of the Five Star family are native to the Walla Walla area. As locals, they use only Walla Walla Valley fruit: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. During the spring release and barrel tasting weekends, the Huses invite additional family members to lend a hand with the work. The personal attention to detail keeps Five Star Cellars on track to produce wines that live up to the Five Star name.