Jason Smith’s first career was in high tech, which prompted him to name his winery after the ethernet networking cable referred to as “Cat 5 wire.” Newly opened in the Winery Warehouse District in August 2020, Jason employs technology to create a unique tasting venue. “All our lights are WiFi LED that can change between 16 million colors,” he explains. “We can light the room to fit any occasion. Feel like watching the Hawks game at Category 5? We can accent the tasting room greens and blues. Taking your valentine out for tasting? Think lots of pinks and reds.”
Jason grew up in Wenatchee working in the orchard as a fourth generation family farmer, learning a firm work ethic along the way. “My father is the hardest working man I know. From a very young age, he taught me a firm work ethic in the orchard, working side by side with me in extremely hot and inclimate weather. If I wanted to buy a toy, such as an Atari 2600, or a Nintendo, my parents weren’t going to simply “give” it to me. I was expected to keep track of my work hours in the orchard, and then they paid me at a stunning hourly rate of $4 per hour!” says Jason.
After college, he embraced a career in the tech world, developing a natural passion for wine by his early 20s. “I have been intrigued with wine since the age of 18. Honestly, I kind of thought it was something I should know about when working in the business world,” Jason admits. Job burnout is common in the high tech sector, and eventually Jason switched gears to pursue his interest in winemaking. “Looking for a change, I started taking wine production classes with the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College. I was hooked!” he says.
“The older I get, I find myself being drawn back to my agriculture background, much like a goose flying south for the winter. My goal, outside of making kick-ass wines, is to help educate the consumer, so they understand where their food (wine grapes in this case) comes from,” remarks Jason.
The inaugural releases were sourced from top growers, including sites like Dionysus, Gamache, Dineen and Lawrence Vineyards. The results would be impressive for any seasoned veteran in the field, but doubly so for someone’s first time at bat.
Visit: 19501 144th Ave NE, Suite D-900, Woodinville; open Fri-Sun, check website for current hours at www.cat5cellars.com
Here are three wines we recently reviewed:
Category 5 Cellars 2017 Dionysus Vineyard Petit Verdot
93 pts.
An opulent style that displays an expressive sense of place, this red packs monumental structure with finesse, showcasing compact purple and black fruit, violet, dusty spice and earthy minerality. The taut acidity and carpet-plush tannins create lovely tension that rolls seamlessly through the mesmerizing finish. $40
Category 5 Cellars 2018 Albariño
90 pts.
Steely, with bright minerality led by floral notes of honeydew, pear, apricot and orange citrus. The crisp palate gushes with tropical flavors of pineapple and zesty lime that weave through the stony finish. $18
Category 5 Cellars Firewall Red (NV)
90 pts.
Smooth and fruity with a savory edge, filled with expressions of black fruit, red plum and violet that pick up a pleasing spice element on the juicy finish. $20