The Inspired Intermedia digital book collection
Issue link: https://inspired.uberflip.com/i/983519
81 Structure Cellars SEATTLE Go big or go home isn't just a saying at Structure Cellars, it's a way of life. Owners Brandee Slosar and Brian Grasso—B Squared for short—started their winery based on a shared passion for great wine. It didn't begin that way, though. Brian was more of a gregarious "vodka guy" with two decades working in the fine dining industry. His appreciation for wine was just beginning. Brandee, the lifelong wine lover, had abandoned aspirations of being an architect and was a wardrobe and set stylist. Brian describes the day he realized that he wanted to be a winemaker as the second best in his life (second only to his wedding day). After a "field trip" to a winery with his restaurant group, the light went on. He was going to be a winemaker, and nothing was going to stand in his way. He enrolled in Seattle's NW Wine Academy and began internships at Darby Winery, Sparkman Cellars, and Baer Winery in Woodinville while learning the craft. In 2008 they made their first barrel, 100 percent Destiny Ridge Syrah. Its quality surprised the couple from the first sip, and they hoped they had something special. As Brian continued to learn the skills from some of the state's iconic winemakers, the couple bought their first home, a real "fixer- upper." One day, when Brandee was working on the house (which had been torn down to the studs), she found herself second-guessing this decision to undertake such a huge project while Brian was still working at his restaurant job, interning, and making wine. During the mayhem, the eternal optimist Brian brought out a bottle of the 2008 Syrah (their first wine) and said, "You know, this house is a lot like this wine, it's got good bones…good structure." FACING PAGE: The whole family, Brian, Valentine, Brandee and Nubbin, sits in front of a 16' tall painting by Brandee, "Grape Bones," in their very first tasting room. ABOVE: Structure's first tasting space, The BLUEPRINT Room, serves up the ever approachable "Everyday Special" Blue Label wines, and old school hip-hop music keeps things casual. Photograph by Christophe Serviers