Basel Cellars Estate Winery

One word: “Wow.”

Basel Cellars Estate Winery first bursted on the wine-tour scene in 2005 and 2006 when Seattle magazine bestowed on it the title of “Best Destination Winery.” And it deserves those props. Situated on 87 acres high on a bluff just south of town, the winery proffers not just fine wine, but luxury accommodations, including spacious meeting rooms, a gourmet kitchen for private dinners, hot tubs, a sauna, an outdoor pool with poolside cabana and much more. This is where well-heeled companies hold corporate retreats and loving partners get away from it all to create lasting memories. The winery’s spacious 13,800-square-foot lodge is a fusion of elegant artisanship and rustic timbers, and if the hand-carved entrance doors don’t grab you, the views of the valley and the surrounding Blue Mountains surely will. Guests are welcome to walk through the nearby vineyards and see firsthand the source of Basel Cellars’ premium wines.

Founded in 2002, Basel Cellars Estate Winery is the brainchild of Greg and Becky Basel and their business partner, Steve Hanson. At the heart of their vision is the wine itself, which features grapes harvested from the Basels’ environmentally friendly local vineyard, Pheasant Run Vineyard, as well as other local and Columbia Valley vineyards. Basel Cellars’ winemaking takes place in a 9,600-square-foot subterranean facility. Yes, Basel Cellars has amazing winemaking digs and indeed, it uses the finest fruit, but perhaps the most vital ingredient is passion. It is the Basels’ celebrated son, Justin, who provides this ingredient in abundance as winemaker of this grand estate.

A visit to Basel Cellars will first take you through a secured, gated entrance at the top of the bluff where the deluxe complex is located. You’ll want to allow plenty of time to enjoy Basel Cellars’ stellar line-up of wines: chardonnay, a Bordeaux white blend of semillon and sauvignon blanc called “Forget-Me-Not”, reserve cabernet sauvignon, syrah, merlot, claret, and another red blend with the great name of “Merriment.” You will also want to poke around the estate grounds, at least as far as the public is allowed off-leash.

There are many a reward to take away from a visit to Basel Cellars Estate, including an indelible appreciation of Washington’s top winery destination — and a case of “Merriment” comfortably ensconced on your back seat (to be cellared for a fortnight).

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  Order the book!

  Basel Cellars Estate Winery was featured in WineTrails of Walla Walla as part of the Walla Walla WineTrail South on page 508!

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  Order the book!

  Basel Cellars Estate Winery was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Walla Walla WineTrail South on page 508!