MikeL's Guide to WA Wineries
Arbor Crest Wine Cellars
N. 4705 Fruithill Rd., Spokane, WA 99207
Phone: 509-927-9894, Fax: 509-927-0574

Arbor Crest 1995 Sauvignon Blanc label
[Label source: Beth Schoenberg]
Click here for map/directions.
Page last updated: 9-Jun-2005, Page generated: 11-Sep-2005


birds-eye view 1986 Chardonnay label (B&W) Winemaker Mikhail Brunstein
Birds-eye
Old label
Mikhail
Production: (1987) 33,000; (1995) 40,000 cases
Distribution: US, Europe, Pacific Rim

History:
The Mielke family have been in the fruit growing business since 1910. They bought their equipment from a bankrupt California winery, and moved it to the current facility in Spokane. In the mid-1980's, they planted their own 87 acre vineyard near Mattawa (Spokane is too cold for Vinifera grapes) to supplant the grapes bought from many other Columbia Valley vineyards, including Sagemoor, Bacchus, and Stewart.

The tasting room is amazing, with quite a history. In 1925, Royal Riblet, a tramway design engineer and bicycle racer began building his mansion on the edge of a spectacular precipice 450 feet above the Spokane River. He named it "Eagle's Nest" and over the next 5 years, he carved a swimming pool out of the rock, built a stone pavilion, and a croquet court that he'd turn to a skating rink in winter amongst other projects. He died in 1960, and his wife sold it to the Mielkes, who renamed it "The Cliff House" in (?). It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1979.

The original winemaker was Scott Harris, a UCDavis grad. The Mielkes credit Scott's skill for establishing the wineries credentials in the Washington State Winery marketplace. In 1991, Scott left the winery to start another career. He was replaced by Mikhail Brunstein, whose career included head winemaker at a large winery in Odessa, Ukraine, with a complete staff of technologists and biochemists. In 1978 he immagrated to the U.S. and found his first job here in Milwaukee, making fruit and Labrusca wines. He found a much preferable position at the Columbia Crest Winery in charge of special projects, where he was when the Mielke's asked him to help them out for a while. He's still there today [1996]!
Sources: [the winery] [AWN-Clark] [WWAN-Meredith]


The Wines (Spring 1996)
Whites: Reds: Other:
Winemakers:
Von Lobensels 1999(?)
Mikhail Brunstein 1991-1999(?)
Scott Harris 1981-1991

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