Cougar Crest Estate Winery

In the spring of 2008, Cougar Crest Estate Winery moved to its new 13,000-square-foot home on Frenchtown Road, right off the old Highway 12. To say that its new digs are an improvement over its original airport location in a Quonset hut is a major understatement. Now they have two more tasting rooms, east and west. One in Woodinville and the newest one in Spokane.

The Walla Walla environmentally friendly $3.2 million facility is downright sumptuous. There’s plenty of space to sit and relax, marvel at fine art, which includes selected works by Jeffrey Hill and Karen Ehart, and, of course, taste award-winning wine. Inside the Prairie-style facility, visitors bask in natural light from windows positioned in the dramatic cupola above. Here, you can purchase a glass of wine, camp out in front of the stone fireplace, and take in peek-a-boo views of the production area. You lose your sense of time here and before you know it, lunch plans give way to dinner plans.

Dave and Deborah Hansen, the owners of Cougar Crest Estate Winery, take pride in the fact that their labels bear the word “estate.” Relying on earth-friendly, sustainable practices, Dave manages their vineyards, which are located just south of Walla Walla on the Oregon side of the state line. While most mortals would be sleeping, he might be turning on the wind machines to prevent a frosty cold snap from harming the vines. With fall’s crush, it’s time for winemaker Deborah to take over. In this role, her scientific training as a pharmacist comes in very handy. Deborah’s minimalist winemaking style calls for careful extraction of the tannins and judicious use of oak to preserve the varietal character of the fruit. It’s in the blending of the wine that science is set aside in favor of an experienced palate to derive the best blends.

For me, Cougar Crest Estate Winery’s Dedication red table wines reflect this art of blending. The Hansens chose the wines’ name to honor the sacrifice and professionalism shown by Portland-based Doernbecher Children’s Hospital staff when saving their daughter’s life following a life-threatening injury. With their layered complexity and wonderful mouthfeel, Cougar Crest’s Dedication wines never disappoint.

To taste Cougar Crest Estate Wines, you need to make a beeline to its new place on Frenchtown Road. The name “Cougar Crest” is a natural extension of the Hansens’ academic background. Both Dave and Deborah are Washington State University graduates. However, even if you are a diehard rival purple-and-gold Husky, you will want to brake for this Cougar.