Snoqualmie-based Sigillo Cellars is on the move, relocating their second tasting room from Leavenworth to downtown Chelan. The father and son team of Mike and Ryan Seal acknowledge that their interest in winemaking dates back to 2005 when they teamed up with the former winemaker Steve Bailey and friends to make wine out of his garage. In 2010, the Seals joined forces with Ryan’s childhood friend Scott Hussey to open Sigillo Cellars, and the winery has been on an upward trajectory ever since.
The satellite tasting room is in the restored, historic Lakeside School Building on the south shore of Lake Chelan. There is a shaded deck for outdoor seating, a stage for live music and a rooftop deck with a stunning lake view. “Our philosophy is not just to taste wine, but to experience it,” says founding partner Christie Hussey. “Even though we are a small family run winery, we take great pride in producing almost 30 different wines for our customers to enjoy, while finding the perfect fit for their individual liking.”
Satisfying and rich, the wines are bold and exceptionally crafted, culled from a surprising number of AVAs and vineyards around the state.
The new tasting room is located at 2037 W Woodin Ave in Chelan. Phone (509) 888-5713 or visit www.sigillocellars.com.
Below are three releases we recently reviewed:
Sigillo Cellars 2017 Confluence Red Wine, $32
91 pts. – Outstanding
Concentrated, bold and well-built, with alluring upfront tobacco and graphite details that mesh with blackberry reduction and dark cherry flavors. Polished, with velvety tannins on the nicely layered finish.
Sigillo Cellars 2019 White Caps Pinot Gris, $22
90 pts. – Excellent
Floral and on the fuller-bodied side, showing good intensity to the minerally-cut acidity that enlivens the flavors of white peach, green melon, lychee and lime blossom. Stays rich, with focused length.
Sigillo Cellars 2019 Geno’s Rosé, $25
90 pts. – Excellent
A swath of vivacious strawberry, kiwi and lemon citrus flavors dominate the mouthwatering palate of this Rosé of Malbec, filled in with earthy shadings of loam, spice and fresh herbs that culminate on a juicy, dry finish.