Novelty Hill-Januik Winery
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Novelty Hill-Januik Winery is the combination of two independent wineries sharing one tasting room and one winemaker. While the wineries are independent they operate as one winery. This is a state of the art facility. Architects and anyone interested in design will take special pleasure in visiting this winery.
The Novelty Hill/Januik facility is a long extended two-story building. In 2008, the winery received a Superior Architecture Award for Interior Architecture. The architectural design of the building uses biophilia – connecting nature with the interior. The result is a facility with many windows allowing natural light in. Other features include large wood beams extending from the interior ceiling into the exterior. These beams also extend from the tasting room into the barrel aging room that can be viewed by visitors. Interior wood flooring also extends to the exterior.
A fireplace attached to the wall of windows, separates the tasting room from the patio. The patio features a bocce ball court and a rectangular water “canal” filled with smooth stones that provide a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere on the patio. The location next to wetlands means building will not take place in that area. A popular bike trail is adjacent to the tasting room and bicyclists frequently stop in to taste and purchase wine.
Januik Winery is owned and operated by Mike Januik and his wife. Mike is the winemaker for Januik and for Novelty Hill Winery. Novelty Hill Winery also shares the facility and tasting room. Wines from both wineries are tasted in the tasting room. In order to keep, the two wineries’ winemaking separate, grapes are designated for each winery before they arrive.
Stainless steel tanks shine brightly against the cement walled tank room. Adjacent to the tank room, barrels, stacked five in height, age wine in a temperature and humidity controlled environment. Visitors can observe both of these rooms from the above hallway next to the tasting area. In the winery, Mike uses corks to seal the wine bottles. A significant number of corks are randomly selected and tested three times before using to enclose any bottles of wine produced at the winery. Mike wants to continue with cork closures as he expressed concern as to what would happen to wildlife if the cork forests were no longer needed for cork.
Wines
Together the two wineries are producing 25,000 cases of wine. Januik Winery is producing 8,000 and Novelty Hill the other 17,000 cases. In the tasting room, Riedel stemware is used at the tasting counter. The counter is centrally located in a long room between the barrel aging room and the outdoor patio.
White Wines
At the tasting counter, we enjoyed beginning the tasting with a Novelty Hill 2008 Viognier made with grapes sourced from Stillwater Creek Vineyard. This Viognier was a pale yellow. The aroma offered floral and citrus nuances. There were apricot notes on the taste. The finish was crisp with an apricot aftertaste. Januik 2007 Chardonnay from Cold Creek Vineyard offered nuances of apple, pear and citrus. The taste had notes of pear and apple. There were fruit and caramel nuances on the crisp finish.
Red Wines
Januik 2006 Merlot from Klipsun Vineyard on Red Mountain was a dark red color with sienna hues. The aroma had black cherry notes. The taste had black cherry notes with a hint of earthiness. The finish was crisp with tannins. Januik 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA was dark red with a ruby rim. The aroma offered nuances of blackberries and pepper or spice. The taste had blackberry and spice notes. The fruity finish had bold tannins. The 2007 Sangiovese from Stillwater Creek Vineyards was a dark red. The aroma and taste had red cherry notes. The crisp finish was fruity with tannins.
Events
Occasional public events are held at the winery. These are listed on the Januik Winery website. During the summer, each Wednesday the winery has Wednesday Wine' Down.
Private events can be scheduled. Rooms are available for small and large groups. Weddings, business meetings and special occasion events can be held here. An in-house culinary team is available. Private cooking classes can be scheduled as a special event. These special cooking classes are scheduled for Sunday afternoons.
Enjoy visiting Novelty Hill-Januik Wineries, tasting their wines and exploring the building design.
Novelty Hill-Januik Winery
14710 Woodinville Redmond Road Northeast
Woodinville, Washington 98072
GPS: N47º 44.121’ W122º 09.237’
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