Story Published:
Apr 25, 2006 at 2:21 PM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2006 at 8:25 AM PST
SNOHOMISH - There's a small, family-owned business in Snohomish that is producing perfection in a bottle.
It comes from Quilceda Creek Winery, and it's done something no other Washington winery has ever done.
"Mmmmm, lots of blackberry, black cherry." That's the sound of Paul Golitzin tasting a 2004 vintage in Quilceda Creek's barrel room. His is the palate that is making Quilceda Creek Winery famous. And two recent vintages are putting it on the map.
Robert Parker is one of the most influential wine critics in the world. His publication, "Wine Advocate" uniformly ranks wines from around the world. In the latest publication, Parker awarded Quilceda's Cabernet Sauvignon a perfect score of 100 points.
And not just once, but twice -- for the 2002 and 2003 vintages. It caught winemaker Paul Golitzin a bit off guard.
"Right out of the gate, the '03 vintage we thought was quite special," he said. When reminded they earned the award twice in a row? "Yeah - whoa!" he said as he put his hands up in the air.
The wine is the product of father-son team Alex and Paul Golitzin. Alex started Quilceda Creek 27 years ago. "As we started out," says Alex, "it was just a way to make a living."
He kept his day job as an engineer and produced wine on the side. Four years in, he quit his job and started making wine full time.
Quilceda Creek focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon, and made award winning wines from the beginning. But this is the first time any Washington wine has ever earned a perfect score.
And just a small handful of wineries worldwide have ever gotten "back to back" 100's.
"The winery is where it is today because of Paul," says Alex. "I started it but he's the one that's bringing it to its present heights. I'm very proud of him."
Quilceda is truly a boutique winery with just four full time employees. Alex is an engineer and handles most of the lab work, Paul is the primary winemaker and Marv Crum is the assistant winemaker. John Ware handles the sales end of things. That's it.
"It's really amazing that this little operation really managed to achieve that," adds Alex.
Quilceda's reputation was already firmly established in the wine world. They sold out of the 2003 vintage before it was even released. Now a couple of perfect scores?
"It feels great," says Alex. "It feels historic."
We asked the father-son team what's next; they both said they don't plan on making more wine each year, they just want to keep making the wine better.
Quilceda Creek produced about 3,400 cases of the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon and they're sold out. When we checked the Internet, this wine is already selling for nearly $200 a bottle -- if you can find it.