Agate Creek Cellars, Chehalis

At the beginning, wine-making was just a hobby for John and his wife; a pursuit limited to making 5-gallon batches in their garage. As their passion for the craft grew, they moved into a cozy, gray-sided barn where grapevines stretched above the door, and soon founded Agate Creek Cellars. Today, John often greets visitors by giving them an impromptu tour of his facilities—from the small demonstration vineyard out back to the rooms where he presses grapes by hand and ages wine in new oak barrels. This process results in seven flavorful wines, which include rich, unfiltered reds —all crafted from hand-picked eastern Washington grapes. When John and his wife aren't making wines, they're often guiding visitors through a tasting at the polished mahogany bar or using brooms to shoo owls out of the rafters.