Lake Chelan, Wash. – Tsillan Cellars has announced that head winemaker Shane Collins was elected to the board of directors of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers (WAWGG)
Shane Collins of Tsillan Cellars
Collins is a native of the Lake Chelan Valley as a fourth generation orchardist. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Washington State University, his interests in farming and agriculture encouraged him to pursue the field of viticulture and grape growing. Shane worked for Spring Valley Vineyard in Walla Walla, Wash., as well as the vineyards of Columbia and Covey Run wineries while studying viticulture and fermentation science at the Institute of Enology and Viticulture. His desire and passion for the Lake Chelan Valley and its unique soil and climatic qualities brought Shane back to the Chelan Valley where he has overseen production at Tsillan Cellars for eight vintages. Shane currently is in his sixth year as a board member of the Lake Chelan Wine Alliance, after serving as the Alliance President for two years. He is currently serving his second year as the Alliance’s Treasurer. Shane will bring a voice from the fast expanding Lake Chelan AVA and hopes to continue the growth of the education component of the WAWGG services as well as advocacy and outreach.
About Tsillan Cellars (pronounced “Chelan”)
Located at 3875 Highway 97A, Chelan, Wash., in the Lake Chelan AVA, the winery is named after the native word for the lake, meaning “deep water.” It released its first vintage in 2004 and is the largest estate vineyard in the Lake Chelan AVA, producing 6,500 cases. Tasting room hours are daily from 11am-7pm; call the winery for off-season hours. The winery’s Sorrento’s Ristorante is open for lunch and dinner daily during the summer. Call for winter hours. For reservations or hours, call Sorrento’s at (509) 682-5409. For more information about Tsillan Cellars, call (509) 682-9463 or visit www.tsillancellars.com.