Joe Campbell is no stranger to Yakima Valley agriculture. He grew up with half of his family running a cow-calf operation and the other half harvesting over 1,000 acres of orchards. With that influence, Campbell has spent most of his life involved in the agricultural industry in some aspect.
Joe and his wife Alison began exploring wine in 2016 when they enlisted the help of Bob Radke, a friend who previously owned Agate Field Winery. “Winemakers almost always seem to be willing to lend a helping hand while expecting nothing in return, which is very similar to our local cattle ranchers,” Joe points out. Radke taught the couple about growing grapes in the vineyards at Agate Field, offering them encouragement to start a winery.
Joe credits Bob Radke for getting him into the wine industry. “He became like a grandfather figure to me, and has guided and encouraged me to follow this passion,” says Joe. In time, the Campbells bought Agate Field Winery’s former tasting room and estate vineyards, reopening in 2019 as Simcoe Creek.
The seven-acre property offers designated sites for RV camping and guests are welcome to bring their horses in trailer, saddle up in the parking lot and enjoy a wine tour throughout Zillah with six wineries all within a one-mile radius.
The wines are bold and intriguing, loaded with body and classic Yakima Valley terroir.
Visit the tasting room at 2911 Roza Dr., Zillah. Check their website for seasonal hours at www.simcoecreekwinery.com.
Here are three releases we recently reviewed:
Simcoe Creek Winery 2017 Syrah, $29
Editor’s Choice – Excellent, 89 pts.
Ripe, with well-honed structure that drives the focused flavors of black raspberry and dried red currant licorice, widening out with white pepper spice notes on the juicy, concentrated finish.
Simcoe Creek 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, $29
Editor’s Choice – Excellent, 88 pts.
Bold and dense, with savory herbs mingled with dark red and black fruit, bits of dark chocolate, caramel and graphite. Firm tannins and lively acidity streak the finish.
Simcoe Creek 2017 Cabernet Franc, $29
Editor’s Choice – Excellent, 89 pts.
This light-footed red is well built, showing rounded flavors of red berry and cherry, with restrained overtones of leather, vanilla, loamy soil and herbal notes that meld on the finish with fresh acidity.