Northwest Totem Cellars

Unedited

Your inclination is to knock on the door when you first approach Northwest Totem Cellars. Nestled among tall fir trees in this suburban location on the edge of Redmond, is the home of Mike and Kate Sharidan. It’s also the home of their winemaking venture. Unlike tasting rooms located in strip malls, warehouse districts and buildings devoted singularly to winemaking, the Sharidan’s home serves the dual purpose of home and winery where even the backyard sport court becomes a crush pad at harvest.

Mike greets visitors in the kitchen area where he pours and chats about wine and non-wine subjects. Since he self-distributes, it’s a good thing that he has an outgoing personality and genuinely cares for his neighbors and community. Stints as a swimming coach in Quebec and Peru taught him to speak both French and Spanish in addition to his native English. Perhaps it was that exposure to French and his extensive travels that helped define his style of wine making which he describes as being “old world, food-friendly and relatively low in alcohol.” He relies on gravity rather than pumps and makes wine without using fining additives or filters. It’s pure, clean and oh-so delicious.

The use of “Totem” in their name and the iconic images of northwest native Indian tribes are purposeful. Much like their home, it gives a sense of place when you taste their wines. You know the wine is northwest in origin and taste and doesn’t deceive with cute pictures of dogs on the label or the use of “chateau” in the name. Their Low Man Red wine (a Bordeaux blend) acknowledges the leader of the tribe he became the base image of the totem pole by shouldering the weight of others.

The wines taste just as elegant as their mid-30s price tag would have you think. Being an artisan winery making small lots using grapes from Washington’s renowned vineyards including Chandler Reach, Sagemoor and Elerding is expensive. Add to the mix the consulting expertise of formed Chateau Ste. Michelle winemaker Cheryl Jones and cost to produce a bottle of wine add up.

In keeping with a sense of community, the Sharidan’s actively “give back” as volunteers and donators to various causes. They see this as their social responsibility and if the winery is viewed in a better light by its neighbors, so be it. It’s not meant to be slick PR; rather the couple genuinely cares about the environment, the school system and other worthwhile endeavors. It’s another key ingredient needed to be a successful winery.