Callan Cellars is located in the Warehouse district in Woodinville. The main tasting room is a modest-sized, comfortable space, made more cozy by a farmhouse style ambience.
We tasted at Callan earlier in the year, and found the wines refreshing, with a different vibrancy and delicate touch. We met winemaker and owner Lisa Callan, and had an inspiring chat about her journey to becoming a successful winemaker. We signed up that day.
This was a revisit as relatively new members.
There is a cellar room in the back, which can offer some quiet if you choose to avoid the more bustling main tasting room. Surrounded by barrels and tanks, the cellar is still reasonably comfortable.
The $15 tasting fee is reasonable, and waived with a 2 bottle purchase. Of course as members, the fee is waived.
2021 Grenache Blanc - Boushey Vineyards. "Light and bright with aromas of melon, citrus and pear." We aren't typically white wine drinkers, but absolutely loved this. A+ rating.
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon - Elephant Mountain Vineyards. "Black currant, black cherry and baking spices with hints of pepepr and dried herbs." Unusually peppery, almost carmenere-like and lighter in tannins. A rating.
2018 Malbec - 90% Malbec & 10% Merlot. "Aromas of white pepper, black pepper and plump dark berry flavors such as blackberries, black cherry and black current." A- rating.
2018 Red Blend - 85% Cabernet Sauvignon % 15% Merlot. "Monday spaghetti night. Light oak and medium tannin...vanilla, leather and spice." Amazing perfume and strawberries on the nose, jammy, smooth and good value. A- rating.
2018 Founders Reserve - Bordeaux style blend 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 27% Cab Franc & 9% Petit Verdot. Super smooth, chocolatey, excellent. A+ rating.
Callan Cellars is creating some exciting wine, despite opening just in 2017. We found the wines had a certain freshness, and purity, and delicate touch to it. They make a great grenache and a GSM, both of which were not available at this tasting, unfortunately. We definitely recommend checking them out, and apparently they have a new tasting room in Lake Chelan!
