Quilceda Creek is more than a treasured winery based in Snohomish. It’s a legacy of integrity, exceptional quality, and quiet generosity, shaped with intention from beginning to end that has been recognized globally as one of the finest producers of wine. The winery team’s commitment to excellence in every step of their operation keeps collectors and private members pining for their next seasonal release.
Established in 1978 as the twelfth bonded winery post-prohibition, Quilceda Creek is one of Washington’s oldest family-owned wineries. Founded by the Golitzin family, the winery is known for producing exclusive, meticulously crafted Cabernets that consistently earn international recognition and coveted 99 and 100-point scores from the likes of Robert Parker, Jeb Dunnuck, James Suckling, and Owen Bargreen. To date, the winery has earned an astounding 34 perfect 100-point scores.
The estate is set on an eleven-acre sanctuary that includes a world class production facility designed with precision and purpose top of mind. Here, the expert team produces approximately twelve-thousand cases of wine annually, a limited production that illustrates their dedication to quality over quantity.
To maintain the highest standards of excellence, Quilceda Creek keeps every aspect of production in-house. From vineyard to bottle, the grapes, transport, storage, and bottling are all controlled by Quilceda Creek to preserve quality and consistency. “We only use the fruit that we farm and are unwilling to compromise quality at any stage of the process," says second-generation President Paul Golitzin. “The 100-point scores are an honor, but for us, they’re also the result of doing things the right way, year after year."
Nearby, the members-only tasting room is both warm and elegant. The vaulted ceilings and intentional interiors throughout the space create a feeling of elevated hospitality and mindful exclusivity. Every detail has been considered, leaving guests feeling seen and cared for from the moment they arrive.
The Quilceda Creek membership model is uncommon and unexpected. There isn’t a front-of-house bottle shop for purchasing the latest release, and you cannot buy their wines at the supermarket or your local larder. In fact, finding a Quilceda Cabernet on the bottle list at a restaurant is rare, becoming something of a sport for local enthusiasts. There are also no public tastings - this is a private experience intended for those who seek out the extraordinary.
While there has been growing buzz and interest in the integrity with which Quilceda Creek operates and the impeccable wines they produce, what is less commonly known is their culture of quiet generosity. Quilceda Creek is a winery not only of distinction, but of deep compassion and connectedness to the local food and wine industry, cultivating global efforts to do good and give back.
In 2020, Quilceda Creek committed a $365,000 donation to support local restaurant workers through the lowest points of the pandemic. This generous contribution allowed local chefs and restaurateurs to keep their businesses running when they may have otherwise needed to fold.
In 2022, the winery donated 100 percent of gross sales from their first and only production of white wines—Quilceda Blanc and Quilceda Sauvignon Blanc—to the Jose Andres World Central Kitchen where Jose and his team worked tirelessly to serve hot meals to displaced Ukrainians as a result of the conflict with Russia. These donations reached an incredible $300,000 in support of the World Central Kitchen’s ongoing efforts. They also donate to numerous state charities and support non-profits, reflecting their values and ongoing commitment to not only the food and wine industry, but humanity at large.
Whether in the cellar, the tasting room, or the board room, Quilceda Creek team members are held to a higher standard of excellence and their imprint on the local and global community benefits everyone greatly. Quilceda Creek illustrates that excellence doesn’t need to be loud, and intentional philanthropy doesn’t require a spotlight.
Those interested in becoming a private member are invited to join the waiting list and look forward to quarterly vintage releases, experiencing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons exclusively available to Quilceda Creek members.
More information is available at https://quilcedacreek.com.
Quilceda Creek is a winery not only of distinction, but of deep compassion and connectedness to the local food and wine industry, cultivating global efforts to do good and give back.