The Inspired Intermedia digital book collection
Issue link: https://inspired.uberflip.com/i/983519
71 Sigillo Cellars SNOQUALMIE Little did Sigillo Cellars' father-and-son team Mike Seal and Ryan Seal realize, but their casual golf-course conversation with former winemaker Steve Bailey in 2005 would turn out to be a whole lot more than just small talk. Five years after that day on the putting green—and many bottles of wine made (and lessons learned) in Steve's garage—Mike and Ryan officially founded Sigillo, named for the Italian translation of their last name. Joined by partners, Scott and Christie Hussey, they wanted to share their passion for good wine with more than just their closest friends. The first year, they produced 400 cases, then tripled their production by 2012. They currently put "Sigillo"—their "seal" of approval—on more than 4,000 cases of Bordeaux and Rhône-style wines garnered from 65 tons of premium eastern Washington fruit including varietals from Red Mountain, Wahluke Slope, Yakima Valley, Rattlesnake Hills, and Columbia Valley AVAs. Some of those wines include their signature Bordeaux blends such as the Confluence and Sunset labels. Named for the winery's proximity to the confluence of the three forks of the Snoqualmie River, Confluence is made of four traditional varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Sunset is offered in honor of the winery's tasting room location at the hundred-year-old Sunset Theatre in the heart of downtown Snoqualmie. As the name would suggest, Sunset is an "old world" blend with Carmenere added to the famous five. One of the favorite southern Rhône-style blends is Relativity, inspired by Einstein's Theory, and offering a harmonious mix of aromas and flavors. Tempranillo from the Wahluke Slope, made in the true Spanish style, is another top pick. FACING PAGE: Ryan Seal, left, pulls some barrel samples as fellow Sigillo owners, Mike Seal, Christie Hussey, Scott Hussey, and Cande Collins prepare for an upcoming bottling of their 2016 wines. TOP: Sigillo owners celebrate the awesome taste of our latest Malbec. (L-R) Mike Seal, Cande Collins, Christie Hussey, Scott Hussey, Ryan Seal. Photographs by Kristy Ray Photography