Olympic Cellars
Olympic Cellars is a premium blend of old and new. One of the original 15 wineries in Washington State and the first to locate on the Olympic Peninsula, Olympic Cellars became the North Sound’s first woman-owned and operated winery in 2001. Since that time, owners Kathy Charlton, Molly Rivard and Libby Sweetser have taken the winery in a new direction, turning out award-winning wines that support women, respect and preserve the winery’s heritage, and celebrate the good life.
Winemaker Benoit Murat joined the team in 2004. Benoit hails from Toulouse, France, and brings a wealth of vineyard and managerial experience from the old country. His winemaking style favors very ripe fruit and a mélange of French and American winemaking techniques. Benoit makes what he likes -- bold, fruit-forward drinkable wines. The blends and varietals he has created for Olympic Cellars’ three labels -- the premium La Dolce Vida™ line, the highly acclaimed Working Girl® series, and the winery’s heritage Dungeness brand -- have received many awards over the past three years. Most recently, the 2004 Cabernet Franc, 2005 Dungeness Lemberger and 2006 Rosé the Riveter each received a rating of Outstanding from Wine Press Northwest, the respected publication’s highest accolade.
In March of this year, Benoit traveled to New Zealand at the invitation of Cloudy Bay, the country’s most famous winery with an international reputation for producing fine Sauvignon Blanc varietal wines. He will stay on for the harvest at Cloudy Bay for six weeks, observing different winemaking styles and learning techniques used “down under” that may be applied to future vintages of Olympic Cellars wines.
Olympic Cellars’ women owners subscribe to a self-dubbed, “feminine way of doing business,” which embraces the triple bottom line philosophy of profitability, philanthropy and environmental sensitivity.
Network of Support
The Working Girl series of everyday wines – Working Girl White, Go Girl Red, Rosé the Riveter and Handyman Red – was created by women in support of women, and underwrites Olympic Cellars’ commitment to philanthropic giving. What originated with a local Charity of Choice evolved into the winery’s signature 2X Success program and has continued to expand with the nationwide rollout of Working Girl wines. Olympic Cellars is working to establish a nationwide network of support for women and families.
Micro-Climate Study
In 2005, Olympic Cellars spearheaded a fundraising initiative to commission a micro-climate and landscape study that would identify areas on the Olympic Peninsula warm enough to grow cool weather varieties of grapes. Efforts proved successful, and Dr. Greg Jones, a professor of climatology at Southern Oregon University and a leading expert in his field, was hired in June 2006 to perform the study.
The nine-month study concluded in May 2007, at which time Dr. Jones delivered his findings that the North Olympic Peninsula provides sound potential for cool climate viticulture, and his recommendation that the local wine industry capitalize on the ability to grow unique grapes with a light, crisp and aromatic style that pairs well with the seafood of the region. Suitable varieties of white wine grapes include Madeleine Angevine, Sylvaner, Siegerrebe, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Muller Thurgau, Pinot Blanc and Gewurtraminer. Suitable red wine grapes include Pinot Noir, Zweigelt, Garanoir, Leon Milit, Agria, Regent, Marechal Foch and others.
It is Olympic Cellars’ intention that the establishment of vineyards will help preserve the Peninsula’s historically rich agricultural heritage with a high value crop. Vineyard plantings will also encourage culinary tourism, raising the Olympic Peninsula’s visibility as a wine region, and facilitate the creation of new jobs in the tourism and agricultural industries.
Come and Visit!
Olympic Cellars invites enthusiasts, no matter where they may be in their “wine journey,” to visit year ‘round and sample its current releases, relax and catch-up with friends in its recently renovated Gathering Room, and peruse the many one-of-a-kind items in the winery gift shop. The winery handcrafts a variety of wines that appeal to a range of palates, and visitors are encouraged to drink what they like! There is no right or wrong choice – wine is a personal experience.
Be sure to check Olympic Cellars’ website throughout the year for fun, zany goings-on that the whole family will enjoy!
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