Sightglass Cellars

Owner/Winemaker – Sean Boyd

What is your/your family’s story around your winery? How did you first become involved in the wine industry and what has your trajectory looked like?
I grew up in San Diego, where my father, Gerald D. Boyd, worked as the editor of Wine Spectator back when it was still a newspaper. When the business moved to the Bay Area, so did our family. One of my first jobs was in the wine department at Liquor Barn, a retail store in San Mateo—I was selling wine even before I was legally old enough to drink it. But after a certain point, I was ready for a change.

My father spoke with a colleague who was then the winemaker at Geyser Peak in California and had previously held the same role at Penfolds in Australia. That conversation led to an opportunity for me to work a harvest at Penfolds—and that’s what set everything in motion.

How long have you been making wine in Washington state?
I assisted Winemakers starting in 2002 and became a full-time winemaker for Woodinville Wine Cellars in 2005

How did you first begin working with the grower?
We were introduced to the vineyard through Mike Januik. His Novelty Hills wines used 100% Stillwater Creek at that time.

What excites you the most about the wines you’re making?
We feel like we are working with the best vineyards for the varietals we are looking to make. This allows us to make the kinds of wines we are proud to share with our customers.

What is your favorite part about the Washington state wine community?
Washington state has always been filled with great people who want to help one another. While we are all in friendly competition to sell wines, most of us are looking to elevate the general success of the state’s wineries and know that working together helps us achieve that.

What excites you the most about what the future holds for Washington state wine? Where are we headed or what trends are you seeing?
Washington can grow many grape varietals really well. I ultimately think this will become what we are known for, not just for one or two specific varieties.

What is your favorite wine and food pairing?
I love shrimp in many different preparations with both our Unoaked Chardonnay and Red Mountain Sauvignon Blanc.

Vineyard Operations Director, Stillwater Creek Vineyard – Ed Kelly

What is your/your family’s story around wine grape growing? How did you first become involved in the wine industry and what has your trajectory looked like?
I am the only one in my family who works in the wine industry. I first became interested in vineyards and grape growing while working for the California Department of Food and Agriculture as a mycologist back in 1978. My work often took me to the wine country of Sonoma and Napa Valley to inspect diseases in plants. After speaking with many growers, I became interested in the vineyard industry and returned to the UC Davis, California to study viticulture.

I began a career of vineyard management and consulting in 1981 working as vineyard manager for Mt. Veeder Winery. I have been working in the vineyard industry ever since.

I worked in California’s wine country until 2007 then moved to Oregon’s wine country and landed in Washington in 2011 managing the vineyards for Stillwater Creek. I moved Dennis Bonilla into the position of vineyard manager for Stillwater Creek Vineyard this past year and am now acting as a vineyard consultant.

How long have you been growing grapes in Washington state?
I have been growing grapes in Washington since 2011 when I became the director of vineyard operations for Stillwater Creek Vineyard.

How did you first begin working with this winery?
I first met Sean Boyd when I began working at Stillwater Creek Vineyard. Sean was the winemaker for Woodinville Wine Cellars and was purchasing grapes from Stillwater Creek Vineyard. Later Sean began his own winery “Sight Glass Cellar” and fortunately continues to buy wine grapes from Stillwater Creek Vineyard. Working with Sean and the high-quality wine he produces has always been a pleasure.

What excites you the most about the grapes you’re growing or the techniques/equipment you’re using?
At Stillwater Creek Vineyard we are growing 16 varieties of vitis vinifera including multiple clones of many of the varieties. One of the most intriguing aspects of Washington and Stillwater Creek Vineyard is that we can grow award winning grapes from varietals ranging from Chardonnay to Petit Verdot. I am amazed that cool season and warm season grapes do so well at the same site. I am also excited that the vineyards in Washington, given the many weather extremes from year to year, turn out great vintages year over year.

I have always enjoyed using viticultural techniques that are dedicated to sustainable agriculture, including vineyard operation techniques and equipment used.

What is your favorite part of being a part of the Washington state wine community?

My favorite part of being a part of the Washington wine community is the friendships I have made with the wineries we work with, and the contacts I have made withing the farming industry. Washington wineries and growers are a tight-knit community that work well together and share experiences with one another. It is a pleasure to watch, and to be part of.

What do you think the future holds for Washington state wine? Where are we headed or what trends are you seeing?
Washington state is growing and making some of the greatest wines in the world. The wine industry is going through some adjustments now, but I do not doubt that, given the state’s commitment to excellence and quality, we will stay strong over time.

What is your favorite wine and food pairing?
I cannot answer that I have a favorite. I enjoy a variety of food types from around the world and Washington will always have a wine to pair with whatever food I am enjoying.

Vineyard Manager, Stillwater Creek Vineyard – Dennis King Bonilla

What is your background, how did you come to work at the vineyard?
My parents were migrant farm workers when they first moved to the states from El Salvador, and my dad eventually became the foreman at Stillwater Creek Vineyard for 20 years before he retired, so I have been around agriculture my entire life. I enjoyed being in the vineyards, and I wanted more opportunities to learn, so I studied viticulture & enology and plant health management at Washington State University. Many years later I finished college and came back to the vineyard.

How long have you been working in this capacity?
I have been working here since high school (2010), and I am currently in my first year as vineyard manager.

What excites you the most about working in the vineyards?
I honestly enjoy everything that is involved with vineyards. From soil science, water science, weather, economics, employee management, etc… We are able to use all of this knowledge and research to care for the vines and give them what they need as well as provide wineries with high-quality fruit.

What is your favorite part of being a part of the Washington state wine community?
The Washington state wine community is very supportive. If you have questions about anything and are proactive about reaching out, you will find assistance. There are also many mentors willing to assist young people in the industry. We are able to learn from growers who have many years of experience with this, while still applying new techniques and technologies to push the industry forward.

What do you think the future holds for Washington state wine? Where are we headed or what trends are you seeing?
The future of Washington wine will continue to bring people together. While enduring through tough times, people are willing to look out for one another and help each other out. This will allow us to collaborate more with each other and to improve overall wine quality.

What fact can you share about your job that wine-drinkers might not know?
Weather has a huge effect on the growing seasons and the wine they are drinking from one year will be much different in future years.