Sparkman Cellars
About
We started the winery so that we could focus more on our family. With many years in the hospitality world, we felt uniquely situated in the midst of the Northwest's extraordinary and booming wine industry. We found compelling as we looked at our next professional adventure. Our style produces artisan handcrafted award-winning wines, some of them highly sought after. Contributing to our community and to causes that resonate with our family are another way that the wine world helps make our lives rich. In the future we hope to be known for the outlandish things we do in far away sunny places.
Location Description
Located in the heart of Woodinville, Washington.
Features
- Producing artisan handcrafted award-winning wines.
Additional Information
- Meeting / Conference Facilities:
- Caves:
- Wedding Facilities:
- Picnic Facilities:
- Dog Friendly:
- Winery Tours:
- Wine Tasting:
- Art or Architecture:
- Organic / Biodynamic:
- Awards:
- Wine Club:
- Lodging / Bed & Breakfast:
Average Bottle Price
$ 48
Winemaker
Linn Scott, Winemaker, a Seattle native, has worked in the Washington wine industry since 2001. After deciding to make the wine world a long term home, Linn attended Universities in France and Germany earning a Master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology. 2010 was his first harvest with Sparkman Cellars. He is also involved with the International Pinot Noir Celebration and teaches part time at South Seattle Community College. Linn and his wife Allison live in Northeast Seattle and successfully farm a quarter acre of blackberry briars and buttercups.
History
We started the winery so that we could focus more on our family. With many years in the hospitality world, we felt uniquely situated in the midst of the Northwest's extraordinary and booming wine industry. Winemakers, growers, restaurant folks and wine shop people all made up this interesting community that we found compelling as we looked at our next professional adventure.
It all synced up with our family's vision: working with the finest raw ingredients this planet has to offer, crafting from it something real and living and sharing it with folks who are literally thirsty for it. Fusing Art, Science, Agriculture, Philosophy and all the Good Stuff from life into a bottle of wine that we are proud of is both a challenge and a reward.
Our style produces artisan handcrafted award-winning wines, some of them highly sought after. Contributing to our community and to causes that resonate with our family is another way that the wine world helps make our lives rich. Our intention is to make wines that are considered among the finest available, and that will hopefully find their way onto your table.
It all synced up with our family's vision: working with the finest raw ingredients this planet has to offer, crafting from it something real and living and sharing it with folks who are literally thirsty for it. Fusing Art, Science, Agriculture, Philosophy and all the Good Stuff from life into a bottle of wine that we are proud of is both a challenge and a reward.
Our style produces artisan handcrafted award-winning wines, some of them highly sought after. Contributing to our community and to causes that resonate with our family is another way that the wine world helps make our lives rich. Our intention is to make wines that are considered among the finest available, and that will hopefully find their way onto your table.
The Team
CHRIS SPARKMAN, Dad, Director of Winemaking and Head Janitor, spent a couple of decades as sommelier and wine buyer in some of the U.S.'s best restaurants: from Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, Michael’s in LA, Todd English’s Olives in DC and Mackay Restaurants in Seattle. He currently serves as Chairman of the Washington State Wine Commission. His Personal Management Team is headed by Stella Mae and Ruby Leigh.
KELLY SPARKMAN, Mom, Controller and Assistant Winemaker comes from a wildlife biology background and as wildlife biologist, worked in Spotted Owl, Peregrine Falcon and Salmon restoration programs and later as a veterinary technician in Seattle. Her magnum opus is her role as Chief Developer of Stella Mae and Ruby Leigh.
Stella Mae:
Stella is Reading Director and a promising singer who is keenly aware that wine is for Mommies and Daddies, and that apple juice is better for you. She is kickin' butt at school stuff, track & field, basketball, soccer, ballet, bike ridin', Girl Scout and piano!
Lisa Repp:
Lisa Repp, Cellar Master, got her start in the winemaking world by helping her dad make berry wine in Snohomish when she was just a youngster. Later, she earned her Enology and Viticulture certificates from Walla Walla Community College. When Lisa isn't bustin' tail at the winery, she can be found on the soccer field, working in gardens or blazing up a steep hiking trail.
Bryan Keay:
Bryan Keay, General Manager, drives the Ring of Fire Wine Club, and well, generally manages things at Sparkman Cellars. Haling from Louisiana, Bryan brings a genuine sense of Southern charm and hospitality that helps our guests feel the love. He earned his sommelier certification from the Court of Masters in 2007. After many years in fine dining from Alaska to New Orleans, he joined Sparkman Cellars staff permanently in 2009. Marlena Sherlock
Marlena Sherlock:
Marlena Sherlock, Hospitality Manager, serves as gracious host to our guests, den mother to our staff and logistical wizard over things that need doing. With a résumé peppered with a Culinary Certificate, a stage with a Chef in Tuscany and a Sommelier Certification from the Court of Masters, she brings an incredibly well rounded sense of how flavors on plates and in glasses work together.
Dick Nauman:
Dick “Pop” Nauman is Chief Reality Officer, in charge of Tough Financial Questions, as well as many Answers…The Outlaw Merlot was made as a tip of the cap to the guy who got the ball rolling with his idea of a family business. Sarah Nauman
Sarah Nauman:
Sarah “Baba” Nauman is Chief Harvest Childcare Director, tirelessly assisting in helping Kelly and Chris get Things done.
Pat Sparkman:
Pat “Gaga” Sparkman is Co-Director of Southern Operations in Tennessee, with a specialized focus on vegetarian culinary development and grandchildren relationships. Frank Sparkman
Frank Sparkman:
Frank “Papa” Sparkman is also Co-Director of Southern Operations in Tennessee. Our future winery layout is knocking around in his head, waiting for a good pencil. He and wife Pat serve on the Tough Questions and Answers Board.
Erica Orr:
Erica Orr is Consulting Enologist. She has worked at wineries in Napa Valley (Cain and Rudd), Burgundy (Dujac), and Australia (Yering Station). Since 2005 she has been making wine in Washington State (Matthews, Mark Ryan, Baer). In addition to a master's degree in enology from UC Davis, Erica has a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from UC Berkeley. She knows a lot of stuff.
KELLY SPARKMAN, Mom, Controller and Assistant Winemaker comes from a wildlife biology background and as wildlife biologist, worked in Spotted Owl, Peregrine Falcon and Salmon restoration programs and later as a veterinary technician in Seattle. Her magnum opus is her role as Chief Developer of Stella Mae and Ruby Leigh.
Stella Mae:
Stella is Reading Director and a promising singer who is keenly aware that wine is for Mommies and Daddies, and that apple juice is better for you. She is kickin' butt at school stuff, track & field, basketball, soccer, ballet, bike ridin', Girl Scout and piano!
Lisa Repp:
Lisa Repp, Cellar Master, got her start in the winemaking world by helping her dad make berry wine in Snohomish when she was just a youngster. Later, she earned her Enology and Viticulture certificates from Walla Walla Community College. When Lisa isn't bustin' tail at the winery, she can be found on the soccer field, working in gardens or blazing up a steep hiking trail.
Bryan Keay:
Bryan Keay, General Manager, drives the Ring of Fire Wine Club, and well, generally manages things at Sparkman Cellars. Haling from Louisiana, Bryan brings a genuine sense of Southern charm and hospitality that helps our guests feel the love. He earned his sommelier certification from the Court of Masters in 2007. After many years in fine dining from Alaska to New Orleans, he joined Sparkman Cellars staff permanently in 2009. Marlena Sherlock
Marlena Sherlock:
Marlena Sherlock, Hospitality Manager, serves as gracious host to our guests, den mother to our staff and logistical wizard over things that need doing. With a résumé peppered with a Culinary Certificate, a stage with a Chef in Tuscany and a Sommelier Certification from the Court of Masters, she brings an incredibly well rounded sense of how flavors on plates and in glasses work together.
Dick Nauman:
Dick “Pop” Nauman is Chief Reality Officer, in charge of Tough Financial Questions, as well as many Answers…The Outlaw Merlot was made as a tip of the cap to the guy who got the ball rolling with his idea of a family business. Sarah Nauman
Sarah Nauman:
Sarah “Baba” Nauman is Chief Harvest Childcare Director, tirelessly assisting in helping Kelly and Chris get Things done.
Pat Sparkman:
Pat “Gaga” Sparkman is Co-Director of Southern Operations in Tennessee, with a specialized focus on vegetarian culinary development and grandchildren relationships. Frank Sparkman
Frank Sparkman:
Frank “Papa” Sparkman is also Co-Director of Southern Operations in Tennessee. Our future winery layout is knocking around in his head, waiting for a good pencil. He and wife Pat serve on the Tough Questions and Answers Board.
Erica Orr:
Erica Orr is Consulting Enologist. She has worked at wineries in Napa Valley (Cain and Rudd), Burgundy (Dujac), and Australia (Yering Station). Since 2005 she has been making wine in Washington State (Matthews, Mark Ryan, Baer). In addition to a master's degree in enology from UC Davis, Erica has a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from UC Berkeley. She knows a lot of stuff.
