When Bob Delf was running his own consulting business to software companies, a client gave him a bottle of wine that was different than anything he had seen before. It had a custom label advertising his client’s business. Bob was intrigued by the ingenious use of the bottle as a marketing tool.
“I thought the custom label was an interesting idea, but the wine was disgusting, and I started wondering why people make bad wine,” Bob says. A wine connoisseur himself, Bob decided to open his own winery focusing on producing high-quality wine, with the option to have a custom-designed front label. Today, about 60 percent of his business consists of clients who want a custom-designed label. The balance uses their own beautiful artist-designed labels.
A Passion to Succeed
Helping businesses succeed is nothing new to Bob, who spent his career helping software and technology companies thrive. He watched many companies build great products and then fail because they didn’t know how to market them. With a degree in pure math and computer science, plus a master’s in business, Bob took those failing companies and helped them win. He understands the hard work, dedication and passion it takes to be the best. He’s now solely focused on creating his own company’s success, and with the numerous platinum awards hanging on the walls of Northwest Cellars Winery, he’s making it happen.
Celebrating its 14th year in business, Northwest Cellars produces approximately 4,000 cases each year, putting it in the top 10 percent of wineries in Washington. This is perfect for Bob, who says, “I’m not interested in competing for shelf space at the local grocery store.” He is focused on producing affordable wine his customers love.
Kirkland’s Hidden Gem
Nestled in an unassuming business park in the Totem Lake area of Kirkland, Northwest Cellars’ Tasting Room boasts an impressive list. For a tasting fee of only $6—or $10 for the Reserve Tasting—customers can enjoy everything from a luscious 100 percent malbec, petit verdot, viognier or chardonnay, to a truly enticing and often lesser-known 100 percent carménère, which won prestigious awards across the country. Carménère was one of seven wines that took home an award this year. Don’t leave without a taste of the Double Gold Award-winning Madrigal, a delightful blend of grenache, mourvèdre and syrah. Northwest Cellars makes all of its own wine, ensuring consistently high quality, and Bob’s expertise at blending wins national acclaim.
What Bob finds most rewarding about winemaking is getting to interact with his customers.
“I have customers who come in and say they rarely visit a winery where they loved every wine on the tasting menu,” Bob says.
A Step Above
Fabulous wine sets Northwest Cellars apart from other wineries that create custom labels. Customers can be confident that the wine inside the bottle is delicious, whether it has their personalized label or one of Northwest Cellars’ own labels inspired by the Pacific Northwest.
Price is also a differentiator at Northwest Cellars where customers pay only for the cost of the wine. Customers can choose to have Northwest Cellars bring their label creation to life for a small setup fee, or they can send in the finished label and the fee is waived.
“Once you start producing good wine, it’s all about location and marketing," Bob says. “Woodinville doesn’t need another winery. Plus, Kirkland is a beautiful city, and the 8-minute commute to work isn’t bad either.”
Giving Back
Events and fundraising are what drives Bob’s business. Every Friday night finds the winery packed with customers enjoying $5 happy hour pours, live music and snacks.
“We do a lot of events with animal charities like Homeward Pet; Old Dog Haven; and Sarvey Wildlife Rescue, which helps to rehab injured animals. We hold about 30 charity fundraisers annually.”
His philanthropic work has led the Puget Sound Business Journal to award the winery a spot as one of the Top 25 Small Philanthropic Businesses in Washington state for five consecutive years.
Northwest Cellars consistently hosts events that are giving back to the community via fundraising or providing a destination for entertainment like Happy Hour Fridays, Corks and Canvas Painting, Yoga and Wine, and a customer favorite—Chocolate and Wine with Brugge Chocolates.
A Unique Gift from the Heart
Bob often hears that the winery is his retirement job.
“How can it be retirement if you’re still putting in 60-hour work weeks?” he laughs.
Hours like that don’t leave a lot of time for his hobbies of golf and playing the piano, but he does find time to travel.
“I’m enjoying traveling more with my wife, Karen. We just spent two weeks in Italy. I can work remotely, so that helps.”
Bob’s focus is on continuing to produce his award-winning wine, giving back to the community and finding clients who want to deliver a unique gift with a personalized wine bottle. Whether you’re a company that wants to show appreciation to your employees, a business looking to thank your customers or a company working to raise awareness for a charity, Northwest Cellars can help you create a unique gift that stands out.
Visit Northwest Cellars to enjoy a tasting, happy hour or event.
11909 124th Ave., NE, Kirkland, 425.825.9463, NorthwestCellars.com