Bateaux Cellars

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The May 31, 2011 issue of Wine Press Northwest had this to say about Bateaux Cellars’ 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, “Impressive and big. Launching with aromas of dusty cherries strawberry, cassis, coffee and hints of fresh-baked Cinnabon.” Fresh-baked Cinnabon! Really? That had me drooling especially knowing that the proprietors of this upstart winery employ Marcus Miller of Airfield Estates as their winemaker.

Those owners are none other than Steve and Cheryl Padula, Kas Kennedy and Rob Cummings who named their Toledo, WA winery after the shallow bottom boats used on Pacific Northwest rivers by early explorers and fur traders. Bateau is French for boat. One such river used by French fur trappers is nearby Cowlitz River that flows into the Columbia River further to the south in Longview. For those that have ventured to Paris, the iconic image of the bateaux transporting tourists along the Seine River might come to mind.

Bateaux Cellars is unabashed about their mission – to make exceptional Washington wines approachable, affordable and fun. They eventually would like to build a winery on a 40-acre plot of land in Toledo but in the meantime, they’re happy to be producing an initial 400 cases. Yes, they have a ways to go before they become a household name but they have achieved part of their mission with attractive price tags. For example, their 2009 Sauvignon Blanc checks in at a mere $10 a bottle. Even their flagship cabernet sauvignon cost a wallet-friendly $23 a bottle. To many a WineTrail traveler, making a trip to Toledo to stock up on wine is a worthwhile venture to which I say, ‘whatever floats your bateau.’