Maison de Padgett Winery
Are you game to explore one of Washington’s most fun wineries? Then check out Maison de Padgett Winery. True, owner/winemaker David Padgett does concentrate on bringing you and other wine lovers fine wines, but what’s most important to him is that you have fun. To him, wine is bottled pleasure and it needs to be approachable. To this end, he produces a full range of wines designed to meet varying palates, from those of the once-in-a-great-while wine tasters to the informed tongues of seasoned veterans. Included in his arsenal are several ports for which Maison de Padgett enjoys a large following. Check out the label on David’s “Smoking Gun” coffee port; that’s David pictured on the label. Regarding his labels, they are downright wacky. David comes up with the concept for the label, which a graphic artist in Portland then gets to execute. One can only imagine how David communicates his dream-like imagery, but apparently the artist gets it.
A key stop along the Rattlesnake Hills WineTrail North, the Maison de Padgett Winery is the sister winery of nearby Horizon’s Edge, which David also owns. The winery is wonderfully spacious with pleasing architectural touches and includes an English-style garden large enough to host weddings and other events. In fact, the garden area includes a quaint bridal cottage for pre- and post-nuptial garment changes as well as a space for berating the caterer for confusing macaroni salad with fruit salad.
With 18 acres of grapes nearby, David handcrafts estate merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Other Maison de Padgett wines rely on nearby vineyards for grapes that are used in the production of “Singing Toad” (a late harvest white wine), “Funky Monkey” pinot noir ice wine, cabernet franc reserve port, “Sleeping Giant” port, “Lip Service” (at a whopping 8.4 percent residual sugar, it could also be called “Lip Smacking”), “Risqué” chardonnay, and “End of the Road Part III” red blend. If you delight in the names, wait to you see the labels!
As David states on his website, “Welcome to Washington’s Most Unique Winery.” He’s not kidding. Adventurers beware: You are entering the fun zone. Get ready for some unusual ports and whimsical labels. Like other visitors, you’ll leave with a smile (and, we suspect, several bottles to take home).
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Maison de Padgett Winery was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Rattlesnake Hills WineTrail North on page 298!
