Townshend Cellar

Don Townshend is the mad scientist of winemaking. He’s constantly tinkering to find the right blend, best grapes, and optimum oak for aging. His portfolio of table wines, dessert wines, and port-style wines is extensive, offering about 20 different reds, whites, and specialty beverages. When he’s not mixing and matching in the winery, he sheds the lab coat and is often seen at events wearing a tux as he introduces his wine to guests, pouring and getting feedback from soon-to-be-loyal fans.

Townshend Cellar winery and tasting room is located north of Spokane in the tiny hamlet of Colbert. The area’s panoramic views reveal that this is rolling hills and ponderosa pine territory. Inside Townshend’s comfortable tasting room, you’re struck by the number of wines to sample, and it occurs to you that you’re going to be here for a while. Let your taste buds work their way through the Townshend Cellar whites, which feature chardonnay and dry riesling, and then onto the reds, which are highlighted by syrah, cabernet franc, and merlot. While in the red zone, be sure you sample Don’s special red blends, such as “T3” and “Vortex.” The “T3” may strike a familiar note; there’s a chance you imbibed this wine at one of the select Northwest restaurants that has exclusive purchasing rights to it. Also, be sure to save room for Don’s very popular huckleberry port wine, made from wild huckleberries picked in northern Idaho.

With such a high ceiling, the spacious barrel room should appear airy, but with oak barrels towering five and six deep, it feels rather confined. You realize that Don must be quite expert with the forklift in this environment. From the barrel room, a flight of stairs leads to the upper-floor quarters, where you discover a fully equipped gourmet kitchen and a private dining room, which can easily handle a group of 12 guests. Indeed, the room is often reserved for corporate and other special events throughout the year.

By the end of your visit, you realize that Don Townshend lives and breathes wine, 24/7, from purchasing grapes to putting the labels on the bottle. You imagine him racing from one event to another and meeting with his distributors. Then you realize that Don has a day job as an engineer. Does this guy ever sleep?

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  Townshend Cellar was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Spokane Valley-Kettle Falls WineTrail on page 560!