Brian Carter Cellars Wines
Our handcrafted wines reflect classic elegance and the centuries-old tradition found in true European-style blends. Balanced and well rounded, each wine speaks anew to the art of blending and showcases Brian’s personal passion for making exemplary European-style blends from Washington State’s unique terroir that pair beautifully with food.
We are dedicated to making wines with minimal intervention from sustainable grape growing. Grapes are hand-picked, and hand sorted – with the reds being hand punched-down and native yeast fermented.
Core Blends
Our original Blend series we’ve produced since the beginning includes European-style wines in the following categories: Left and Right Bank Bordeaux-style (Solesce, Le Coursier, Trentenaire), Rhône-style (Byzance and Oriana), Tuscan-style (Tuttorosso), Spanish-style (Corrida Gran Reserva and Corrida) and Portuguese (Opulento) style red and white wines. These wines are produced with carefully selected Old World varietals grown in key Washington state vineyard sites.
ONE Collection
While our passion has always been about making finely crafted blends, occasionally we come across a few barrels that capture the essence of a varietal so completely, they defy blending. They are just that good. Thus, ONE was born. This collection of wines represent the very finest in a handcrafted single varietal, single vineyard sourced from the very best vineyards in Washington State. “Sometimes, one wine must stand on its own.”
Dedication Series
For the past 7 years, Brian Carter has made a special blend inspired by and named after someone who has played a special role in Brian’s life. Each Dedication wine is unique in its blend, representing also special characteristics of the vintage, varietals used, and the person for whom it is named. These wines are limited in quantity, and often sell out quickly and available only to Club members.
Recognition
Over the years, Brian Carter Cellars has been recognized by numerous publications and organizations. In 2023, Brian Carter Cellars was named Pacific NW Winery of the Year by Great NW Wine. In 2020, the Washington Wine Growers Association awarded Brian with the Grand Vin Award. In 2018, NW Wine Summit named Brian Carter Cellars as the Winery of Distinction, and in 2015, Wine Press NW named the winery as their 2015 Washington Winery of the Year. The wines have consistently won critical acclaim in the Northwest competitions like the Seattle Wine Awards, Savor NW, the Great Northwest Wine Competition, and prestigious national competitions such as the Annual Jefferson Cup Invitational.
We are also fortunate to receive national recognition in publications like Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast and by key critics like Jeb Dunnuck, and Owen Bargreen of Vinous. View our recent awards and accolades.
Aging Wines from Brian Carter Cellars
I strive to have all of my Brian Carter Cellars wines to taste good at release and also have the ability to improve with age. My philosophy on how to achieve both of these goals is summarized in the word – balance. A balanced wine is one in which tannin, acid and fruit are present in harmony while oak and alcohol are kept from dominating. Great vineyards, extended barrel aging and attention to detail all through the winemaking process contribute to a great wine when released, but the final responsibility for enjoying a superb bottle of wine is yours: Cellar aging to perfection. For suggestions regarding how long to age, or when to drink your Brian Carter Cellars wines, refer to our Aging Chart. Enjoy!
Brian Carter – Winemaker
