Bayernmoor Cellars

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
LOCATION : Woodin Creek District
HOURS (as of Feb 2023): Wed-Fri 1-7pm, Sat 12-7pm, Sun 12-5pm, closed Mon-Tues
TASTING FEE (as of Feb 2023): $20 (mixed flight) or $25 (just Pinot Noir)

We’re finally out of Wine Alley, folks (but may return again soon)! However we are remaining in the Woodin Creek district for a profile of the adorable Bayernmoor Cellars tasting room nestled on the edge of the Woodin Creek complex, with the pastoral vistas of Sammamish Valley on display.

The tale of Bayernmoor will shock you; be prepared to read some things you never thought you would read about a Washington winery. First, the estate is in Stanwood - that’s right, on the western side of the state - on a south-facing slope planted with Pinot Noir. Those familiar with Washington viticulture are probably feeling skeptical, as was; not only is the Puget Sound AVA (which includes Stanwood) ill-reputed for its poor showings of Vinifera varietals, but Pinot Noir itself is widely regarded as poorly suited for the growing climate in Washington’s eastern AVAs, where most of the viticultural magic happens.

So, do two wrongs make a right? Weirdly, Bayernmoor proves it so.

Let’s dig into the “why” for a moment; why is the Puget Sound region poorly suited for growing Vinifera grapes? Simply put, Vinifera varietals (such as Cab, Merlot, Malbec, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc) are adapted to hot, dry summers of the kind found in the Mediterranean region and, happily, Eastern Washington. Meanwhile the Puget Sound AVA (which encompasses hundreds of miles of coastline and dozens of islands) is cool, wet and generally overcast, which can wreak havoc on Vinifera species’ ability to ripen, concentrate and remain rot-free.

Stepping laterally, why can’t Pinot Noir be grown in Washington state? The rationale is similar - essentially, Pinot Noir’s particularly unstable genome has resulted in a penchant for cool, misty mornings and warm, dry afternoons during its growing season; think Burgundy, or the many river valleys of Oregon and northern California that produce magnificent Pinot.

You can see where I’m going with this; the AVA that doesn’t have what most grapes need and the grape that doesn’t need what most grapes have come together, somehow, to create a poignant love story. You can taste this love in the bottles at Bayernmoor.

The sheer cuteness of the Woodin Creek tasting room can’t be overstated. The tasting situation is unique; as if their bottled offerings weren’t enough, Bayernmoor also indexes high on food, and each of their two tastings is offered either paired with bites, or without. The standard (mixed) tasting is $20 (or $40 with food) and the “Nothing But Pinot” tasting is $25 (or $45 with food). To give you an idea, the bites offered included (at the time of my last visit) Italian white bean soup, mushroom and leek dumplings, and coq au vin.

Bottles range in price from $25-65 and include 5 Pinots, a rosé, a Cab Sauv, and a Chardonnay. The star of the tasting was the Pinot Noir clone Précoce, with all the earthy berry characteristics you’d hope for from a fine Oregonian or Sonoma County bottle.

It’s worth mentioning that Bayernmoor does indicate on their website that their estate in Stanwood will one day be open to the public, but for now the Woodin Creek tasting room is the only spot to taste their wines. Stay tuned for updates on that Stanwood location!

Reservations are strongly recommended—as the tasting room is small—and minors are allowed. Animals are not allowed inside (though they are welcome on the heated patio). If you’d like to visit this adorable and groundbreaking winery, let us know in your pre-tour survey and we will make sure not to miss it.

Salut, and enjoy Woodinville!