McCrea Cellars
Doug McCrea and his business partner Susan Neel began McCrea Cellars in Lake Stevens, Washington in 1988. Doug’s attention to detail led him to excel at winemaking. His intuition told him that that a certain “riff” in the world of Washington State wine was ripe for picking. That riff was Rhône wines. “We were the second winery in Washington to produce Syrah,” says Susan, who today manages McCrea marketing, while her husband Bob, an engineer, oversees production operations.
The fabulous wines we featured:
2006 Sirocco (red blend)
- The final blend was 41% Mourvedre, 36% Grenache, 13% Syrah, 5% Counoise and 5% Cinsault.
- McCrea Cellars doesn.t enter its wines in competitions.
- Only 439 cases made
Tasting Notes: Aroma: Violets, raspberries, black currants. On the Palate: Styled after the Grenache-based blends of the Southern Rhone, this medium-bodied wine has great fruit character, bright acidity and soft tannins.
2010 Boushey Vineyard Grenache Blanc
- The final blend was 86% Grenache Blanc and 14% Marsanne.
- Just 168 cases made
Tasting Notes: Aroma: Green apple and pineapple are most evident. On the Palate: Lean, crisp and bright, with layers of fruit, minerals, green apple and pineapple flavors.
Winemaker's Notes
In 1988, Doug MCrea and business partner and Susan Neel started with 500 pounds of Chardonnay and home winemaking equipment. McCrea is virtually on the same latitude as the Rhône Valley, giving them the same amount of daylight and shifts in day to nighttime temperatures. That is terrific for the acidity in their wines.
Washington
Doug McCrea and Susan Neel
Doug McCrea