Whitestone Winery

Washington State is full of surprises when it comes to wine. Take exhibit A for example—Whitestone Winery. The reason? Who would have guessed that you can find a winery in Wilbur, Washington let alone that they use their own grapes to make wine? And, if you are trying to figure out where Wilbur is, you’re not alone. Wilbur is located just south of Roosevelt Lake and about halfway between Coulee City and Davenport along US-2. It’s the home of Wild Goose Bill Days held the second Saturday in June. You mean you haven’t experienced Wild Goose Bill Days?

Walter and Judy Haig planted Whitestone Winery’s vineyard in 1992 with the help Washington State University. WSU researchers knew that the area was the perfect fusion of climate and soil for premium wine grapes. Historically, nearby Whitestone Rock was the site of one of the largest vineyards in Eastern Washington. Then in 1941, the newly built Grand Coulee Dam put the vineyard underwater and created Roosevelt Lake. Nearly fifty years later the Haigs turned back the clock with the planting of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and syrah.

In 2005, Whitestone Winery opened in a renovated gas station in the heart of Wilbur. There you can experience Whitestone’s big red wines and visit with one of the Haig family members pouring and providing background about their estate wines. Their son, Michael Haig, is the winemaker and vineyard manager and welcomes the opportunity to showcase the Whitestone Rock flavor profile. It’s a true family affair from tending the vineyard, harvesting, crushing, bottling, and labeling. There you can “filler up” but instead of premium gas, its premium Bordeaux-style reds.

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  Whitestone Winery was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Spokane Valley-Kettle Falls WineTrail on page 228!