Our first impression of Mellisoni Vineyards was memorable!
Mellisoni Vineyards sits high above beautiful Lake Chelan, impressively tucked above ALT Highway 97. This winery offers stunning views, smiling faces, and award-winning wines. My first visit here offered a wine tasting experience like no other because it was so unique!
What helped make it special was this picturesque setting. We were immediately drawn to the sunny lawn, and of course the insane view of Lake Chelan below. As we settled ourselves into comfortable Adirondack chairs, we were greeted by the friendly staff. At the time we did not realize the winemakers were there with us!
Based on the taste of the wine alone, we quickly realized we were going to be joining the wine club. The wine was that good. What made this a tasting for the history books, was later sharing wine with the winemakers and owners, Rob and Donna Mellison.
Our favorite aspect of our tasting experience was meeting the winemakers!
Our favorite aspect of our tasting experience was meeting the winemakers!The afternoon of our wine tasting experience was brimming with fun stories shared by the Mellisons. They told us about their inspirations for starting the winery, as well as fascinating facts about the winemaking process in Lake Chelan. Our time there ended magically as we shared wine together in their tasting room. I felt as if we were in the presence of new/old friends that day. I like to think of this visit to Mellisonni Vineyards as the start of many more memorable winery experiences there in the years to come.
Wine Travel Planning Tip: Pin this image to your Lake Chelan or Washington State Wine travel board!
Our experience was the embodiment of an Italian word, “Agritourismo” ; an intimate and personal way of visiting with people and enjoying food and wine via a villa or farmhouse setting. The Mellisoni’s are committed to bringing this type of wine tasting experience to Lake Chelan and it naturally shows.
Picture yourself here, with a glass of Mellisoni Vineyards wine in your hands!
Prior to our visit, I had heard how incredible Mellisoni Vineyards’ wines were. In addition, I had researched their multitude of wine awards, such as 2021 Winery of the Year, awarded by Winepress Northwest as well as 2021 Winemakers of the Year, awarded by Seattle Wine Awards. I had also noted, that they have amassed an impressive number of double-platinum, platinum, double-gold, gold, and silver awards for their various Washington State wines. Somehow, I had not yet visited the estate.
It was during the 2021 harvest season during a visit to Stillwater Creek Vineyards that I expanded my knowledge of this boutique winery. There I met viticulturist Ed Kelly, (whom Rob and Donna credit for much of their estate vineyard’s recent success). Coincidentally, that day I had nearly crossed paths with Rob Mellison.
Ed Kelly is someone I could listen to for hours, as I eagerly try to soak up every bit of fascinating information about Royal Slope grape cultivation that he so kindly shares. Ed is an expert in his field, and after learning more about Mellisoni Vineyards from him, I made a direct beeline for the Lake Chelan wine valley.
A few days later, I was lucky to find myself sitting here, taking in this view. To begin our tasting, we enjoyed this 2020 Boateak White wine. It was a stunner and right away I knew I was in for a treat. This light-bodied, crisp white is a perfect summer wine. It is made of 100% Pinot Grigio grapes, with notes of peach, nectarine, and a hint of citrus zest. Delicious and goes down way too easy!
Here I am, enjoying the good life with my dear friend, Shona (WineDivaLifestyle).
Can you feel the easy-going vibe that we felt while tasting here? Everything at the Mellisoni tasting room was just so inviting, warm and friendly. The entire staff was great at explaining to us what we were sipping on, and Rob and Donna were both personally pouring wine that day. It almost felt as if we had been invited to a lovely dinner party!
I may have finished my pour of this Rose before anyone blinked! Ha! This was the 2020 Boateak Rose. It is a 100% Syrah, dry Rose with notes of bubblegum and melon but dry on the palate.
My fiance James and I during our tasting, sipping the Boateak White.
I also loved both the 2020 Boateak Rosé and the sparkling Bollicine Rosé because of their refreshing flavors and acidity. One of my favorite red wines from the lineup included a 2018 super Tuscan, Best Friends. It is a blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from Stillwater Creek Vineyards. We later enjoyed the 100% Sangiovese at home and it was the perfect pairing with pizza!
A souvenir from our tasting experience, which we later had signed by the winemakers!
It was great to learn that the Mellisons used their travels to Italy as an influence for their winemaking. You will find a northern Italian or Piedmont influence in Mellisoni’s Barbera and Nebbiolo, both grown at the Lake Chelan estate in the vineyard they call 60 acres. Once you have been here, you will gain an even greater appreciation for the high-reaching, multi-tiered landscape of this unique vineyard.
A Tuscan influence is present in the estate-grown Sangiovese. Also found are New World Bordeaux favorites like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc. In addition, a Rhone-style influence is found in the Malbec, Syrah, Syrah blends and Syrah Rosés. It is an impressive library of wines that made for the most diverse wine club allotment we have ever received! (Can you tell from my excitement that I will never let James cancel his club membership?)
Rob Mellison of Mellisoni Vineyards.
Pictured here is winemaker/owner Rob Mellison, who graciously shared this incredible bottle of 2018 Reserve Merlot from Stillwater Creek Vineyards. We could not believe how good this wine tasted right from the bottle, without decanting! If you are a fan of Washington State Merlot, you are going to love this one.
It was awesome talking with Rob and Donna about their vineyards while seeing them firsthand. On the west side of the estate, you will find Larc Vineyard, where the team grows Pinot Noir, Moscato, Chardonnay, Malbec, and Syrah. 60-degree vineyard sits high above the tasting room and is where Barbera, Nebbiolo, and Sangiovese are grown. The lower vineyard on the estate is where the white wine grapes are grown for Pinot Grigio, Reisling, and Gewurztraminer.
I was so happy that we met the Mellisons because it prompted James to join his first wine club!
Since we currently reside in Snoqualmie, we will pick up as many shipments in person as possible. That way we can assist this boutique winery in keeping shipping costs down. By joining the club, we will also have another reason to visit Lake Chelan more often.
Tips and links for planning your visit:
- Mellisoni Vineyards is located at 3155 US-97 ALT, Chelan, WA 98816.
- Book your wine tasting reservation by clicking here.
- If you would like to learn more about the wine club, click here.
- Mellisoni Vineyards website
- Mellisoni Vineyards on Instagram
Happy wine tasting, cheers! ~Jen