Tsillan Cellars

Lake Chelan used to be synonymous with apple and cherry orchards. But the area is becoming increasingly known for vineyards and wineries that produce remarkable grapes and award-winning wines, a number of which come from the manicured grounds of Tsillan Cellars.

The Chelan Valley flavors its grapes with the rich environment of volcanic soil, gentle slopes, exceptional air-flow patterns, hot summer days and cool nights. Dr. Bob Jankelson established Tsillan Cellars here to capture the area’s incomparable agricultural conditions as well as his appreciation for Italy. The winery is best known for its aromatic estate whites, including Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer and Riesling, which is a classic age-worthy specimen known for its balanced sugar and acidity.

New World Meets... New World

Winemaker Kathy Williams hails from Australia, where she was a winemaker for large "custom crush" facilities, and she serves as a Certified Judge in Australia's prestigious and internationally known Wine Judging Circuit. At Tsillan, she uses her expertise to bring out the inherent character of an array of grapes, including those grown directly on the estate: Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Grigio. Of special note, the experimental planting of Italian varietals, Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo, have been a pleasant surprise. Starting in 2008, over 95% of the grapes come from estate vineyards.

Tsillan wines are designed to "let the fruit speak for itself." The winemaker enjoys crafting fruit-forward wines, with the wood and earth flavors serving as the backdrop. The unique terroir of Tsillan Cellars vineyards has produced wines garnering awards such as the Walter Clore Award for the best Chardonnay in 2007 and Best of Show for the 2006 Estate Riesling at the 2007 Tri-cities Wine Festival.

A Site to See

The location of Tsillan Cellars is ideal for a visit when paired with a jaunt to the popular nearby resort town of Chelan, with its boating and other lake activities. Owner Bob's passion for excellence is reflected in superb details of the winery, from flavorful wines to an exquisite tasting room to the rose bushes planted at the end of every row of vines. The winery is approachable yet still impressive, similar in personality to the wines served there.

Like a postcard from Tuscany, the facilities make use of imported Italian stone, marble and tile. Inside, the ceiling features impressive wooden timbers salvaged from a train trestle that crossed the Great Salt Lake. Outside, the Italian palazzo styled building is surrounded by two acres of gardens that include water features and rolling lawns and a terrazzo with seating for 500 to enjoy summer concerts.

The Renaissance Winery

If the wines, scenery and warm-weather music aren't enough, Tsillan Cellars also offers large outdoor dinners for up to 100 people from May to October. In the colder months, the Tuscan Estate dining room seats up to 50. From the range of foods offered, my personal favorite is their made-from-scratch pizzas. They are hand-tossed and come with toppings such as classic Margherita, four-cheese, and smoked salmon with capers.

A Closer Look

Thirty-minute tours reveal a behind-the-scenes look of wine production during major event weekends (call or check the website for dates). A tour may also be arranged by calling ahead, and all wine lovers, from the novice to the serious collector, are welcome.