Barrister Winery

Who doesn’t love a success story about two guys toiling in their garage to make wine only to discover that their passion has taken them beyond “garagiste”? Such is the story of Barrister Winery. Founded in a garage by attorneys Greg Lipsker and Michael White, the winery produces wonderfully FULL-BODIED and supple reds. As Greg and Michael note on the winery website, “In the fall of 1997, we bought our first 5-gallon home winemaking kit. Since then, winemaking has become the ‘little hobby’ that got out of control. In 2001, we took the quantum leap from home winemaking to becoming a bonded winery. Producing only red wine, our grapes come from some of Washington’s most prestigious vineyards (and a couple of sleepers).”

Barrister Winery is situated in a 100-year-old brick building in the historic Davenport Arts District of downtown Spokane. The entrance to the winery is found off an alley, and the surroundings may cause you to wonder what you have gotten yourself into. But all worries fade once you go inside and are greeted by a spacious environment featuring exposed brick, wine barrels resting bung up, and friendly pourers. In fact, don’t be surprised if Greg or Michael happen to be doing the honors. Periodically, one of them will lead tours of the barrel room, which is located in the basement of the building. As you descend the stairs, your nose tells you that you are entering the barrel room; the distinct musty, damp smell hints of cabernet. Here in the low light of the room, you can see row upon row of French and American oak barrels, which nurture the wine for 16 to 24 months. In the dimness and dampness of the barrel room, the audience peppers their guide with questions about the winemaking process. Every question is handled with care, much like that taken by Greg and Michael to make hand-crafted premium wines. Although the winery has become a full-blown business now, it is still a labor of love. Their primary goals are to remain small and to focus on producing topnotch reds.

WineTrail Note: If you ever require a Spokane-area winery to host a wedding reception, a family reunion, or a corporate shindig, Barrister Winery is available for such events. I’m sure that the winery staff would sell you some wine for your affair as well.

Barrister Winery is an active member of the Spokane Winery Association and participates in both a fall tasting event (the weekend before Thanksgiving) and a spring tasting event (Mother’s Day weekend). See www.spokanewineries.net for details.

Fellow WineTrail partner, I rest my case.

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  Barrister Winery was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Spokane-Pullman WineTrail on page 536!