Obelisco Estate Wines has been making a name for itself and grabbing awards for the past few years. It’s won consecutive double golds at the Seattle Wine awards and became the recipient of the first double gold ever given to a “first” vintage at the event.

Ken Abbott, Obelisco’s marketing manager, doesn’t blink an eye at the accolades.

“It wasn’t unexpected,” he said. “Doug (Long) really knows what he’s doing with wine making. He knew he could do the intense planting on Red Mountain.”

Long, Obelisco’s owner who lives in Gig Harbor, brought his wine expertise to Washington six years ago and planted his first crop in 2005.

“It’s the smallest American viticulture area on the West Coast,” Long said of the Red Mountain area. “This is a continuation of 40 years in the wine business. It’s very unique. I grew up in Napa Valley and started a winery in the 1970s with my two brothers.”

When Long moved here, he was determined to grow grapes in Washington.

“Ninety percent of the wineries don’t grow their own grapes,” he said. “Our business is grape growing. It all starts with the grapes. It’s the heart and soul of wine.”

Long said his brothers are still growing in California, and he still visits the area regularly to keep tabs on what vintners are doing down south.

“They have a whole bunch of new ideas,” he said. “Very few families have three wineries. The balance of having one foot there and one foot here is good for the business.”

Abbott said the Red Mountain location has more plants per acre than a typical vineyard and is planted in the “old-world style.” When modern equipment was brought in, the rows needed to be planted wider to allow room for the tractors, he said.

“The quality of grapes went down because the vines weren’t competing with each other,” Abbott said. “If you don’t have quality grapes consistently, you can’t have a consistent wine.”

Obelisco vineyards produce smaller grapes, and Abbott said they produce a higher-quality wine.

“It’s more intense,” he said. “There’s more fruit and less water and a lot more grape skin when you go to the press. The body and the mouth feel are the characteristics of a truly great wine. It’s easier to get that characteristic with a smaller, high-quality grape.”

Long’s experience in the business gives the wine making process an added boost, Abbott said.

“He’s going to grow the finest grapes at all costs,” he said. “They call him the human palette. He can pick up notes and toast and character like nobody can, and he’s the best blender in the business.”

Obelisco was represented at both Wine and Food Festivals at the Harbor History Museum and is sold at several Gig Harbor-area stores and restaurants, including Fred Meyer and Harbor Greens grocery stores, and Brix 25, JW and Madrona Links restaurants.

For more information, visit www.obelisco-estate.com.



Lifestyles Coordinator and reporter Susan Schell can be reached at 253-853-9240 or by email at susan.schell@gateline.com.