On a crisp autumn day, we stopped by the tasting room of the Upchurch Vineyard in Woodinville to meet Chris and Thea Upchurch. This tasting room, which opened in the spring of 2025, represents an exciting new chapter for the vineyard and winery that Chris and Thea established in 2007.
Chris began his journey into the world of wine as a young man traveling through the Grand Cru wine-growing regions of Europe and the West Coast of the United States. His goal was to develop his palate. After receiving Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Colorado and the University of Washington, he entered the world of wine by working as a wine merchant for several of Seattle’s finer restaurants and learning the craft of making wine. In 1992, he became the founding winemaker of Delille, where he crafted exceptional wines that garnered numerous awards and elevated Washington State’s reputation in the winemaking world. He then came full circle in 2007 when he launched Upchurch Vineyard with Thea. Upchurch Vineyard is located within the acclaimed Red Mountain AVA, known for its distinctive terroir. In 2022, Upchurch planted an additional 5 acres on Candy Mountain, one of Washington State’s newest and smallest AVAs.
Thea was born in Holland and received a Culinary Degree and a Master’s Degree before leaving the Netherlands for the United States. She opened her first 2 restaurants in Atlanta, then moved to Seattle, where she has owned 3 restaurants. One of them, Theo’s, was awarded “Best New Restaurant” in 1996. When she and Chris met at the opening of DeLille Cellars, it seemed the perfect pairing – fine dining and amazing wines! They were married in 2001 and now work together to make Upchurch Vineyard into the small but extraordinary winery that it is. Thea is especially instrumental in planning and executing their culinary events, such as wine and caviar pairing, Seahawks game viewing gatherings, guided tastings, and private parties. The warm, inviting atmosphere of the tasting room perfectly complements the rich legacy of craftsmanship that Chris and Thea have brought to life through Upchurch Vineyard.
And of course, while we chatted, we also had the opportunity to taste some amazing wine! We started with the 2024 Grenache Rosé. It was a beautiful pale pink color, bringing to mind springtime and cherry blossoms. It tasted bright and crisp, with refreshing acidity. This would be perfect on the patio on a warm summer evening!
Next up was the brisk, white Chenin (2023). It was delicious and refreshing with notes of pear and honey, and a substantial mouth feel and long finish. This would be a great wine with your Thanksgiving feast!
The 2023 Southwest Facing Sauvignon Blanc was delightful – with zesty citrus and herbal notes. There was a touch of minerality because it is aged for 18 months in concrete egg-shaped tanks, which adds a layer of very interesting structure.
Moving into the reds – we had the wonderful 2022 UV Counterpart, which is 100% Merlot. Its deep ruby color enhanced the juicy tastes of red and black fruits, and a hint of earthy notes. It was definitely one of our favorites!
The highlight of all the wonderful wines we tasted was the 2020 Hero Twins Cabernet Sauvignon, which was awarded 100 Points by The Wine Advocate! What an achievement! And what a wonderful wine. It was bold and full-bodied with beautifully balanced tannins, bright cherry, blackberry, and plum tastes with a touch of pepper.
Our visit to Upchurch Vineyard tasting room was a delightful exploration of exceptional wines. Chris and Thea Upchurch have truly created a unique experience in their tasting room, reflecting their dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply someone looking to enjoy a beautiful day, Upchurch Vineyard, either the new tasting room in Woodinville or their original Red Mountain Tasting Room, offers a welcoming atmosphere and a memorable experience that is sure to delight.
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