Red Sky Winery

Enjoying a glass of wine under a red-sky sunset in Eastern Washington, Jim and Carol Parsons made the decision to start a winery. They clinked glasses in a toast to their dreams on that evening in 1999, and Red Sky Winery was born.

The Parsons’ love affair with wine began back in 1982 when they opened a retail wine and cheese shop in Seattle. Eventually they collaborated with friends to produce 50 cases of Red Sky wine in their Bellevue basement in 1999. It must have tasted pretty darn good, because they haven’t looked back.

They began with the idea that it all begins with the fruit. WineTrail lovers will appreciate the fact that the grapes come from such vineyards as Boushey, Conner Lee, Dineen, Klipsun, Pleasant, Pepper Bridge, Rosebud, and Sheridan vineyards. To coax the best flavors from these grapes, the Parsons needed a great winemaker, which they found in John Ogburn (Boeing’s master chef for its ship. Yes, Virginia, Boeing has a seagoing vessel). John helped them get started with winemaking but soon Carol took over the vintner’s reins for the winery. Today she and a host of volunteers produce 1,000 cases of rich and elegant Red Sky wines with a definite bias toward Bordeaux varietals.

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  Red Sky Winery was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Warehouse District WineTrail on page 122!