Those of you familiar with Larry Lehmbecker's wines at the Vin du Lac facilities on hwy 150 in Chelan already know what a great job Larry and the crew, including assistant wine maker Dreux, do as winemakers.
Since the start up of the winery in 2000, Larry has been raking in awards and receiving praise from literally every organization that has judged the quality of his wines.
But production capacity at the location was extremely limited because space was so equally limited. That problem however, now has been solved.
Yesterday, November 7, all the crew at Vin du Lac held the grand opening, Open House to show off their new Chelan Falls Production Facility, and what a facility it is.
Larry put it this way, "Our goal was to bring all winemaking tasks under one roof, in a completely hygienic environment, with total control over winemaking climate and temperature."
Vin du Lac's annual production in years past has been between 8,000 and 10,000 cases annually, evenly divided between red wines and white wines. The new facility doubles that production capacity to 15,000 to 20,000 cases annually. Yippee...more Cab Franc perhaps? More Malbec too?
The Grand Opening Open House was complete with wine tasting and plenty of complementary hors d'oeuvres to keep the crowd pleased and happy that they attended.
While every wine offered to taste, the Les Amis Riesling, the Viognier, the Sauvignon Blanc and the Syrah, were terrific (I was partial to the Syrah with the grilled shrimp wrapped in black pepper bacon; the black pepper was a wonderful match with the peppery finish on that Syrah), the star of the show however, and the tasting highlight of the event, was the limited production (a mere 50 cases) 2006 Barrel Select Malbec, fruit for which came from Snipes Canyon Vineyard, Yakima, WA.
Wineclub members were treated to a healthy sized pour of the Malbec, others were charged a nominal fee of $5.00 for that treat...one more reason to consider Wine Club membership, for certain.
Winemaker's notes on that Malbec claim, "...currants, plums and dates with lilting scents of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves..." on the nose. "On the palate the wine is smooth, rich and fruitful, with a lingering finish of mocha and oak spice." This makes reading about the wine almost as pleasant an experience as actually tasting it.
Technicals on this wine, Residual sugar: 0%; pH 3.5; TA 5.75g/l offer solid evidence of the wine's staying power potential. Clearly, this Malbec will be long-lived, if only one can refrain from drinking it shortly after one purchases it.
Vin du Lac's Bistro and tasting room facilities remain comfortably situated in the original HWY 150 home; you are cordially invited to drop in for lunch and a tasting, or to merely come, sit, and enjoy the view of the lake, which, even in winter is a beautiful site.
105 Highway 150
Chelan, WA 98816
(866) 455-9463
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