Armed with an enthusiasm for fine wine, Tyson and Brittany Trautmann started experimenting with winemaking techniques on a small-scale in their garage. Their skills and dedication grew as they scaled up production, officially commencing Alluvium Cellars in 2019. They opened a Woodinville tasting room with a “modern rustic aesthetic” at The Junction, a collection of warehouse-style wineries on 144th Avenue NE in summer of 2022. A visit means getting to meet the winery’s extended family. Tyson and Brittany’s brother and sister-in-law, Trevor and Jennifer Tucker, manage the facility and run the tasting room, and played a critical role in the winery launch. All four family members still hold down demanding “second full-time jobs,” as Tyson puts it. He works in software, Brittany is an interior designer, Trevor builds rockets, and Jen runs hospitality at a popular local restaurant.
We found the wines at this laidback winery warehouse startup to be exemplary, filled with a voice and character all their own. A conversation with winemaker Tyson Trautmann reveals his cerebral side as he speaks about “intracellular fermentation” and “effects of sonication” and “minimal crushing and controlled temperature to extend maceration.”
Tyson takes a contrarian viewpoint regarding industry claims promoting minimal intervention, commenting, “It’s trite to say that great wine is made in the vineyard and minimal intervention is all the rage.” He embraces technology, explaining that his innovative approach “is about drawing out the best sensory characteristics of the fruit and making sure that they make it into the glass, not augmenting the fruit with additional sensory notes or cramming the wine into a specific flavor profile.” Case in point is Alluvium’s first purchase at the new facility—a very expensive piece of lab equipment that allows the team to take sample readings in real time to facilitate rapid and accurate winemaking decisions.
The winery derives its name from the fertile soil on family land in the Columbia Gorge AVA slated as a future vineyard. The wines we reviewed from this rising star all received stellar ratings for uncompromising structure and overall quality.
Open Fridays through Sundays, Alluvium is located at 19151 144th Avenue NE, Space C, Woodinville or look them up on the web at www.alluviumcellars.com.
Here are six releases we recently reviewed:
Alluvium Cellars 2019 Alpha Red Blend
94 pts.
An exciting Left Bank-style red delivering a powerhouse of well-chiseled structure and concentrated core of rich black cherry and dark currants flavors layered with tobacco, gentle earth and spice notes. The suave tannins show refinement, adding polished grip on the deep finish. $56 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Alluvium Cellars 2019 Asterius Syrah
93 pts.
Grapes from Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, and Columbia Valley AVAs went into this intricate single varietal. Stone, earth and loam details inundate the densely packed flavors of blueberry compote, blackberry and juicy red plum. The broad, maze-like structure teases with black peppercorn, tobacco and cinnamon hints that permeate the intense, power-packed finish. $48
Alluvium Cellars 2021 Apricity
92 pts.
An open texture and wet stone minerality front this Rhône-inspired white blend, unveiling white flower blossoms, pear, apricot and yellow apple notes. White pepper details surface on the complex finish, backed by residual viscosity. $28 Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne
Alluvium Cellars 2021 Anthem Red Wine
93 pts.
There’s ample density and litheness to this Southern Rhone varietal blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. Mouthcoating flavors of plum, wild blueberry, cassis and leather are acutely balanced, finishing with a nice uplift of acidity, deep concentration and pretty accents of violet and sage. $48
Alluvium Cellars 2021 Agerasia Red Wine
93 pts.
Lush red and black fruit presides over this suave blend of grapes culled from three closely related appellations—Yakima Valley and two of its well-known sub-AVAs, Rattlesnake Hills and Red Mountain. A generous matte of fine tannins weaves through the firmly coiled structure, layered with harmonious black raspberry, blackberry, currants, spice and coffee notes. Finishes with ample length and focus. Drinkable now, this will continue to mature with cellar aging. $44
Alluvium Cellars 2022 Armogan Chardonnay
92 pts.
Enticing aromas of peach and butterscotch introduce this single-vineyard version sourced from renowned French Creek Vineyard. The mouthfeel is ultra-smooth, flecked by minerally texture that shimmers with a light touch of acidity, inlaid with D’Anjou pear, white flowers and essence of Moroccan preserved lemons. Stony spice notes add a dry flourish to the finish. $40