Cor Cellars

If a stranger turns to you and says, “Bonum vinum laetificat cor hominis,” don’t throw a punch at him. He’s simply exercising his Latin by saying, “Good wine gladdens the human heart.” Such are the words that Luke Bradford embraced when he started Cor Cellars in 2005. Luke is one of a growing number of young winemakers who have splashed onto the Washington wine scene.

Despite his youth, this graduate of Evergreen State College doesn’t lack winemaking experience. He worked at a relative’s winery in Italy (which helps to explain the Latin connection) as well as stints with Wind River Cellars and Syncline Winery. He gives particular credit to James Mantone at Syncline for mentoring him in the chemical and microbiological aspects of making wine. In addition, Luke is grateful to the many growers with whom he collaborates, including McKinley Springs Vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills, Underwood Mountain Vineyards, Lonesome Spring Ranch, and Evergreen Vineyard.

Samples of Luke’s wines include cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling, and pinot blanc. However, his aptly named red table wine called “Momentum” reflects Luke’s “movement, impulse, and effort” to make great wine. Everything about Cor Cellars reflects the promise of youth: a startup winery, a recently planted vineyard adjacent to the winery, and a youthful vintner. For those who celebrate life’s pleasures (especially wine), it will be fun to watch the maturation of Cor Cellars.

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  Cor Cellars was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Columbia River Gorge WineTrail on page 178!