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Signature Wines and Wineries of Washington
The Lybeckers launched their boutique artisan winery in 2009,
and while it was founded in West Seattle, the beautiful wine
country in the Lake Chelan Valley eventually called their hearts
to that area. In the summer of 2012, they made the move—
and their Lake Chelan winery dreams came true. Now, it's the
place the couple truly feels at home, together with their two
young sons—Eugene and Francis—affectionately referred to
as the "whinemakers" of the house. Tannin, the resident wine
dog, is also a big part of the family and serves on the greeting
committee at Cairdeas.
They've since planted a small estate vineyard featuring head-
trained Joseph Phelps clone Syrah and two rare white Rhône
varietals. Cairdeas is the first vineyard in the state to plant
Picardan, and the second vineyard to plant Clairette Blanche—
two varietals that are widely planted in the southern Rhône
Valley of France.
ABOVE LEFT: Tasting Room Manager, Danielle, pours Late Harvest
Roussanne for winery guests.
Photograph by Richard Duval
ABOVE RIGHT: The tasting room patio is an inviting space for guests to hang
out by the fire and enjoy views of the vineyard and the lake.
Photograph by Lacey Lybecker
BELOW LEFT: Winemaker Charlie Lybecker stands outside the Barrel Room
on a freshly cleaned crush pad.
Photograph by Dalisa Jo Photography
BELOW RIGHT: Grandma Nellie, the namesake behind signature wine Nellie
Mae, joins her grandson Charlie on the crush pad during harvest.
Photograph by Lacey Lybecker
