Smasne Cellars, Farm Boy and AlmaTerra

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Veteran winemaker Robert O. Smasne says it best, “Built on the foundation of family, farming heritage, love for the [Yakima] Valley and passion for wine, our mission is to handcraft limited-release, world-class wines from the heart of Washington Wine Country.”

Consultant winemaker to more than a dozen Washington wineries and a resume that includes stints at Amavi Cellars, Pepper Bridge Winery and Covey Run, Robert Smasne’s Woodinville tasting room showcases his own three labels – Smasne Cellars, AlmaTerra and Farm Boy. These wines express the terroir of the 11,000,000 acres Columbia Valley AVA including such respected vineyards as Uplands, Phinny Hill and Lawrence Vineyards. However, more than the vineyards, these wines express five generations of a family’s love affair with farming in the Yakima Valley.

Farm Boy is the name given to his value-priced label. At $12 to $14 a bottle for red, white or rosé wine, these table wines go great with tonight’s burger, pizza or a pink colored sunset. Local artist Herb Leonhard executes the artistic image of Robert as a young farm boy. They express his agrarian roots and an expression of his love for the Valley’s terroir.

The AlmaTerra project is a winemaking collaboration between WSU soil scientist/viticulturist Alan Busacca and Robert Smasne. The fruit from three iconic vineyards (Ciel du Cheval, Coyote Canyon and Minick Vineyards) forms the basis for three single vineyard syrahs and one cuvee blend featuring all three vineyards. Priced at a hefty $48 a bottle, the Seattle Times wine writer Paul Gregutt implores “Spend a little more to get a good syrah.” That’s a bit steep for many folks but, hey, if you have an herbed goat cheese crusted lamb shank roasting in the oven, why ruin a great meal with cheap wine!