You don't need a degree in Oenology to start your own winery -just ask Denise and Brent Isenhower, who started making wines as a hobby and have grown their business from meager beginnings to two tasting room locations in Washington State.
The Place: Isenower's Woodinville location is easy to miss if you're coming from the downtown core via 522. If you see Januik Winery, you've gone too far. Coming from the Hollywood area, it's easier to spot on the west side of Woodinville-Redmond Road. At least the small storefront has the advantage of a good sized parking lot, and in the winter, look for the blue glow of the winery's lighting in the distance once the sun goes down.
The Experience: Isenhower's other tasting location in Walla Walla has more scenic surroundings, but a smaller tasting room. During my visit to the Walla Walla tasting room, Denise poured wines and explained how she and Brett were pharmacists in a previous life in Colorado, but fell in love with the scenic Eastern Washington valley and succumbed to the lure of winemaking. Started their own production in 1998, they were fortunate to contract with established growers and to date, have accumulated a wine club of 1400 members, some of whom were evident in Woodinville the day we visited their homey and artfully decorated tasting room.
The Wines: A love of Robert Frost and an appreciation for the artwork of local artist Caprice Scott are celebrated in the bottling of several vintages, including such favorites as the Road Less Traveled Cabernet Franc, a tasty and well balanced nod to the noted author. Brett and Denise have also incorporated the names of several native flowers in their wines, such as the Pink Paintbrush Cabernet Franc, Wild Thyme Red, and Batchelor's Button Cabernet.
Insider's Tip: Don't look for these wines in the store. Isenhower's red and white wines are for sale only from the winery and Woodinville tasting rooms, and shipping is limited to about half of the United States. With 1400 wine club members and an annual production of 2000 cases, vintages can sell out quickly. On the bright side, kudos to the Isenhower's for an easy-to-navigate website that is updated regularly.
