Davenport Cellars
by
Kathy Sullivan
Davenport Cellars located in Woodinville, Washington produces about 1,150 cases of wine. The wines include both straight varietals and blends. For the owners, Jeff and Sheila Jirka, the goal is for the customer to walk out the door with a bottle of wine and say, “I would have paid more for this wine.” In addition, they want visitors to enjoy their visit to the winery and to want to return. Watch for the 3rd Thursday of the month Wine Walk Series from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Davenport Cellars is one of the newer wineries in Washington State. As the Jirkas approached the idea of retirement, they considered their options that included operating a Bed and Breakfast or a plant nursery. They also enjoyed wine and eventually the topic led to owning a winery or a vineyard. In 2004, the Jirkas began taking classes at South Seattle Community College. In 2005, the college obtained a bonded winery license and the Jirkas were in the first production classes offered. Early into the program, they knew this was the second career they were looking for. After completing the production courses, they were ready to begin the process of owning a winery.
Davenport Cellars in Woodinville is the result of this planning. The name Davenport is Sheila’s maiden name. Currently Jeff and Sheila are producing 1,100 to 1,200 cases. They want the wine production to be manageable and not to control their lives.
Visitors will discover Davenport Cellars in a business complex with many other types of businesses as well as thirty other wineries. According to the Jirkas, Davenport Cellars’ design of their interior is unique. Upon entering this sparkling clean tasting room one is immediately aware of the spacious high walls. Light is filtered into the room through the front window blinds.
A wood floor adds to a comfortable feel of the tasting room. Several small tables are available where visitors can enjoy a glass of wine. Usually a checker set is on one of the tables and visitors enjoy spending an hour or so playing a game recalling something that they had done years ago. The tasting counter is a good size for the size of the tasting room and several bar chairs encourage people to stop, taste and stay awhile and enjoy their time at the winery. Local artists display their work on the walls. The art by different artists will be rotated periodically throughout the year.
The separate space directly behind the tasting room is the barrel room. This room has a cooling system to benefit the barrels as they age the wines. The next room is the winery production area.
Tasting Room Events
Currently Davenport Cellars participates in the 3rd Thursday Wine Walk Series. Twelve to nineteen wineries from the Woodinville Warehouse Wineries participate in the wine walk. In addition Davenport Cellars is looking forward to hosting other events including artist receptions.
White Wines
Snowflake 2009 was a blend of 75 percent Sauvignon Blanc and 25 percent Semillon. The wine color was a light yellow. There were nuances of floral and tropical fruit like a fruit salad. The taste had fruit salad notes of pineapple and peach. The wine finish was crisp. Semillon 2009 was fermented in oak and had a yellow color. The aroma had oak notes. The finish offered nuances of apple and caramel.
Red Wines
Syrah 2007 was a dark purple. The aroma and taste offered dark fruit with plum nuances. The finish was crisp with tannins. The R.H.D. was named to honor Sheila’s father. This wine was a blend of 60 percent Merlot, 26 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 percent Malbec, 4 percent Cabernet Franc and 1 percent Petite Verdot. The aroma and taste was of dark fruit especially blackberries. The fruity finish offered mild tannins. Continuity was a Bordeaux-style blend of five wines. These included 39 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 39 percent Merlot, 13 percent Malbec, 7 percent Cabernet Franc and 2 percent Petite Verdot. The taste had black fruit notes. There were tannins on the fruity finish.
Enjoy a visit to Davenport Cellars! Their location affords a unique opportunity to visit several wineries within easy walking distance. At Davenport Cellars, view the local artists art and pair wine with board games.
Davenport Cellars
19501 144th Ave NE; Suite B600
Woodinville, Washington 98072
GPS: N47º 46.166’ W122º 08.988’
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