Brian Carter

Brian Carter Cellars

Brian Carter is one of the most influential winemakers in Washington and specifically known as the ‘Blend King.’ Brian has a 40-year career, including having spent time at the legendary Chateau Montelena in California (Judgement of Paris!). Brian Carter Cellars has been a fixture Woodinville since establishing his winery in 2006 and is expanding to the waterfront in Vancouver, WA. He has recently garnered the 2018 ‘Winery of Distinction’ at the 23rd Northwest Wine Summit and many ‘Best of Category’ and ‘Best of Show’ awards.

On this episode, Brian describes why it’s important to recognize a balanced wine and provides a fascinating education on native vs commercial yeast and their impact. He describes his love of sight blending, his current food and wine pairing favorites and more.

Visit Brian Carter Cellars

Champagne (… and beyond) 101 

Get ready for the New Year with sparkling wines! During this month of celebration, we want you to learn more about Champagne and other sparkling wines. We quickly breakdown the types of sparkling wines out there in the world and the Traditional Method for making Champagne. And we help you understand the sparkling styles you’ll find on bottle labels and what they mean.

Get Kramer Vineyards 2018 Celebrate Müller-Thurgau

Hand harvested, foot crushed, and pressed. Delicate aromatics with flavors of lime, green apple, passion fruit, white peach, and a hint of grass and minerality. Truly unique!

Get Montinore Estate NV Vivacé

Beautiful white wine blend of estate-grown Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris and Riesling

Get Lucien Albrecht Cremant D’Alsace, Brut Rosé

Consistently good and pairs with a wider variety of food.

Get Barbier Louvet, L’Héritage du Serge Brut Premier Cru Champagne

A full bodied Brut. with a golden color and ripe apple aromatics. A great Champagne for the price.

Learn more about André Jacquart Brut Expérience 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne

André Jacquart is a true “grower Champagne” – run by the 5th generation, the Domaine encompasses 24 hectares of vines in the Côte de Blancs. This 100% Chardonnay is vinified in a combination of stainless steel and old oak barrels. The wine is aged for 5 years on the lees before disgorgement.

Thank you, Taub Family Companies for sending us samples of sparkling wine from Champagne,the Loire Valley, Alsace, Italy and Spain.

Brain Carter, the Blend King!

Brian Carter working the vineyards

Brian Carter Cellars was awarded the 2018 ‘Winery of Distinction’ award at the 23rd Northwest Wine Summit.

Cozy fireplace in the Brian Carter Cellars Member’s Room.

Window and patio with a view from the Brian Carter Cellars Member’s Room.

Brian Carter Cellars has a beautiful lineup to taste. The 2017 Abracadabra Rosé was awarded ‘Best of Show’ at the 2018 Washington State Wine competition.

The 2015 Corrida is a Spanish red blend with Tempranillo.

Sparkling wine from Champagne, Alsace, and Oregon.