I was very excited about my recent visit to Icon Cellars in Woodinville’s Artisan Hill District. My friend Zoe and I walked into the tasting room and immediately loved the warm, inviting atmosphere! There was music playing (they often offer live music as well) and Zoe said that she felt as if she was in Europe. I always love wine tasting in cozy, inviting spaces, so I was equally impressed.
Pictured here is owner/winemaker Jim Garner, who was not only willing to take a photo for us, but was also extremely kind and down to earth. Jim told us that he had a 23 year career in the Pharmaceutical / Biotech industry before he began winemaking. After relocating to Washington from California in 2004, he met Pleasant Hill Cellars owner/winemaker Larry Lindvig at a wine event. Shortly after, Jim began to help out at the Pleasant Hill winery, learning about small batch wines. He later attended U.C. Davis for further training. In 2010, he launched Icon Cellars, focusing on Rhone varietals.
Zoe and I arrived at Icon just as soon Jim had opened his tasting room for the day. It was not busy yet, and we weren’t complaining! It is always great to hear the story and mission of a winery as told by the winemaker.
Our first pour of the day (not pictured) was the Roussanne, which I found to be savory, and creamy while still crisp. This Roussanne had a long, silky finish and was aged in 1/3 new French oak 2/3 stainless steel. I had a tough time choosing between the 2017 Syrah and the 2017 Petite Sirah – I enjoyed both of them so much! My tasting notes from the 2017 Petite Sirah tell me that it’s ready to drink, with cedar and blackberry on the nose and black cherry on the palate. It’s bold and has a fair amount of tannins. I decided to purchase bottles of the Roussanne and Syrah and at home we enjoyed this delicious Woodinville red wine with grilled rib eye steaks. The pairing was wonderful!
Jim and his wife Romana often travel to Europe for wine inspiration and it feels as if they have brought back this influence to their tasting room. The setting is intimate but there are plenty of barrel tables as well as seating at the tasting counter. Added touches like oil-burning candles and fresh cut roses really add to the ambiance!
The Icon Cellars wine club offers wine club offers 6 bottles twice a year, with two wine releases a year. There are winemaker dinners and wine release events that are catered by the PicNic Table, offering a great partnership of Mediterranean influences. For more information on joining the Icon Cellars wine club, click here.
Icon Cellars is located in the Artisan Hill section of the Warehouse District. The tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 pm and for private parties and dinners by appointment.
You can find them at: 18564 142nd Ave NE Woodinville, WA 98072
I would love to hear from you about your experiences visiting Icon Cellars, so please leave your comments below! I can’t wait to go back and visit and taste more of their delicious wines.
Cheers ~ Jen
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