COLUMBIA WINERY – PIONEERING WASHINGTON WINEMAKING SINCE 1962

Columbia Winery was founded in 1962 by ten friends, six of whom were University of Washington professors. Originally known as Associated Vintners, the group was united in the belief that classic European vinifera vines could survive the harsh Washington winters and that fine wine could be made in Washington State. They began by making wines in the garage of Dr. Lloyd Woodburne, Columbia Winery’s first winemaker, in the Seattle neighborhood of Laurelhurst.

David Lake, Master of Wine, joined Columbia Winery in 1979 as winemaker and has continued the pioneering spirit of Columbia Winery’s founders. David is most renowned for his experimentation with new varietals and for producing the first series of vineyard-designate wines in Washington State. He was the first winemaker to produce several varietals in Washington, including Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Gris. Today, David continues to experiment with new varietals and in new directions. He is committed to creating the highest quality wines possible.

Columbia Winery produces Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris as well as exceptional Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Columbia Winery offers vineyard-designate wines from long-established vineyards such as Otis, Wyckoff and the renowned Red Willow vineyard. The winery also produces numerous wines in very limited quantities that are sold exclusively at the winery and for the wine club.

Columbia Winery Timeline

• 1962 The group of amateur winemakers bought Harrison Hill vineyards, consisting of 5.5 acres divided among several varietals.
• 1966-1971 Associated Vintners became recognized for making some incredible wines.
• 1972 Associated Vintners purchased a second vineyard Church Vineyard (60 acres–30 of which were European vinifera grapes).
• 1975 Dr. Lloyd Woodburne became winery manager and winemaker.
• 1976 The winery moved to Redmond and production reached 9,000 gallons.
• 1976-1979 Associated Vintners increased production by 30% each year.
• 1979 Associated Vintners hired David Lake as Enologist and shortly thereafter he became winemaker. The 1979 harvest was David’s first vintage at the winery.
• 1979 David Lake first worked with vineyard owner Mike Sauer of Red Willow to produce three acres of Cabernet Sauvignon.
• 1981 David Lake released the first series of vineyard-designate wines in Washington State, with the release of three Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Red Willow, Otis and Sagemoor Vineyards in the Columbia and Yakima Valley appellations.
• 1981 The winery moved to Bellevue. Production was at 30,000 cases. Woodburne retired shortly after the move.
• 1983 Associated Vintners changed its name to Columbia Winery.
• 1987 David Lake produced the first Merlot in Washington State to be blended with Cabernet Franc in the traditional Bordeaux manner.
• 1988 Columbia Winery moved its facilities to its current home in Woodinville.
• 1988 David Lake released the first Syrah in Washington State with grapes from Red Willow Vineyard.
• 1991 David Lake produced the first vintage of Cabernet Franc in Washington State from Red Willow Vineyard.
• 1994 David Lake produced the first vintage of Pinot Gris in Washington State from grapes sourced at Otis Vineyard.
• 1995 David Lake released Columbia Winery’s first vintage of Sangiovese from Red Willow Vineyard.
• 1999 David Lake released Columbia Winery’s first vintage of Viognier from Red Willow Vineyard.
• 1999 David Lake celebrated his twentieth anniversary as winemaker with Columbia Winery. He was featured in an exhibit on the Washington wine industry at Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry–the first exhibit of its kind in the state.
• 2000 David Lake becomes the first winemaker in Washington state to co-ferment Syrah and Viognier, designated as Red Willow Vineyard, South Chapel Syrah.
• 2002 Columbia Winery celebrates its 40th Anniversary—40 Years of Premium Washington Winemaking.
• 2005 Columbia Winery’s 1999 Otis Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was selected as one of the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2004.
• 2006 Columbia Winery’s 2003 Gewurztraminer was picked as one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wines of 2005.
• 2006 David Lake retires.
• 2007 Kerry Norton appointed Director of Winemaking.