Walter Dacon Wines

WineTrail enthusiasts who enjoy syrah will want to plan a visit to Walter Dacon Winery. But we’re not talking about a trip to Walla Walla or even Woodinville. We’re talking Shelton. “Shelton?” you ask. Yep, Shelton, Washington. Set in the heart of Mason County, Walter Dacon Winery produces about 1,000 cases of syrah per year, as well as small lots of sangiovese, viognier, and lip-smacking good port-style wine. Conveniently located, Walter Dacon Winery is a short drive from Highway 101, taking the SE Lynch Road exit.

Upon starting his winery in 2003, owner/winemaker Lloyd Anderson named it after his grandfather Walter Dacon. Lloyd’s background is in forestry, having had a career at Weyerhaeuser and owning his own logging-related enterprises. But after the logging industry took a downturn, Lloyd turned to his passion—making wine. Together with his wife, Ann, the Andersons have managed to distinguish their young winery from the slew of other wineries and received awards and feel-good accolades.

Before launching Walter Dacon Winery, Lloyd learned his winemaking skills from the best with a stint at McCrea Cellars as well as coursework at UC Davis. But ever the tinkerer and hands-on do-it-yourselfer, Lloyd has taken his skills much further, employing European winemaking techniques not practiced elsewhere in the state. For example, following de-stemming, Lloyd uses frozen carbon dioxide to cold-stabilize the syrah grapes. And, remaining true to Rhône-style wines, he makes liberal use of blending – typically blending syrah from different vineyards in the Columbia Valley to create a syrah cuvee. However, Lloyd defers to Ann’s sensitive palate for the taste test.

When it comes to Walter Dacon syrah, check out its “C’est Syrah Belle” (aged in French oak), “C’est Syrah Beau” (a more robust flavor from aging in American oak), and “C’est Syrah Magnifique” (barrel select). All Walter Dacon wines exhibit tamed tannins and are much smoother than many of the syrahs associated with Washington. These wines pair wonderfully with lamb, duck, or salmon, yet are delicious sans food. It’s no wonder the winery’s Le Grand Crew Wine Club has grown significantly since its birth in mid-2006. C'est fantastique!

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  Walter Dacon Wines was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the South Seattle WineTrail on page 78!