The celebration will get underway this spring with Long Shadows' new tasting room opening in Woodinville's Old Redhook Brewery location. The upscale new facility will have a modern, industrial vibe with an outdoor patio, a second-floor deck with heat lamps and firepits, and private rooms for wine club members. "Woodinville is the epicenter of Western Washington wine tasting. With the opening of our new facility, we will be able to offer guests an enhanced tasting experience in a relaxed setting that showcases our wines and builds community," says Long Shadows president and CEO Dane Narbaitz.
Long Shadows founder and Washington wine visionary Allen Shoup, who ran Chateau Ste. Michelle and its affiliate wineries from 1980-2000, took inspiration for Long Shadows from his friend and colleague Robert Mondavi, whose Opus One collaboration with the Rothschild family furthered the prestige of Napa Valley wines. "From his early days at Ste. Michelle, Allen recognized the potential of the Columbia Valley's growing region and made it his life's work to bring that story to international prominence," said Narbaitz. "We are proud of Long Shadows' role over the last 20 years in making Allen's dream a reality."
Long Shadows allowed Shoup to further his ambition to grow the global reputation of Washington wine and also create a family-run winery of his own. Narbaitz, Shoup's stepson, joined the winery in 2005, bringing his extensive background in luxury wine brands to Long Shadows. He took the reigns as president of the company in 2008. Two years later, his wife, Sara Narbaitz, brought her marketing and communications expertise to the winery, serving as director of communications, a position she currently holds. Ryan Shoup, Allen's son, joined Long Shadows shortly after graduating from college in 2011. He currently serves as Long Shadows' director of retail sales.
As part of Long Shadows' 20-year celebration, the winery will reflect on some of Shoup's most visionary concepts, such as his prediction that the U.S. would enjoy a "Riesling Renaissance." Long Shadows' Poet's Leap, an off-dry Riesling, was the winery's first release and an immediate success. It is also one of three Long Shadows wines that have been served at the White House.
Long Shadows was founded to grow the global reputation of Washington wines by bringing an acclaimed group of international winemakers to Washington State to craft wines from their signature grape. "Winemaker Gilles Nicault has been with us since our first vintage in 2003 and is the key to our success," said Dane Narbaitz. "Gilles' numerous winemaking talents, knowledge of Washington vineyards, and his ability to collaborate with an all-star team of winemakers have been instrumental in developing a distinct portfolio that showcases the best of the Columbia Valley."
The winery will invite wine club members to celebrate 20 years of winemaking at Long Shadows' annual Frenchtown Fête in August. Additional tastings and special events marking Long Shadows' 20 years will be announced throughout 2023.