It was snowing on our visit to the estate in early March, and I had forgotten my coat, but that didn’t stop us from traversing the grounds as winemaker and co‑owner Larry Harris spoke of the Bayernmoor Cellars story.
I’d met Larry briefly a couple of years back at the Platinum Wine Judging. I recalled he was tall and formidable, with warm eyes and a passion for wine. I had remembered correctly.
His lovely wife and partner, Kim, grew up where they now process the wine — in an octagonal‑shaped structure originally intended to be a barn. Kim was a little girl right inside where the big vats of various pinot noir clones and chardonnays (to name a few) were getting ready for bottling. (There was a buzz in the atmosphere because almost 2,000 cases of wine were about to be bottled, and their daughter had returned on break from college to participate.)
When Kim’s parents decided the nearly 100 acres were a bit too much, Kim and Larry decided to take it over, building a future legacy winery for their family. Larry, already an accomplished patent attorney with his own firm, said this venture is about “family and community, not about the money.”
They employed the help of Washington State University experts (soil analysis and weather evaluation), who deemed the land similar to Burgundy, France, with south‑facing slopes and a view of the fog line. It was recommended they plant pinot noir.
With the help of industry icon and veteran winemaker Brian Carter, they have received numerous awards since their first vintage in 2017. Accolades include receiving the 2023 Seattle Wine Awards “Fabulous Four” Winery of the Year and 2024 Washington Winery of the Year from Great NW Wine, being written up as “Best of the Best 2025” by Eric Degerman, and earning over 21 Platinum Awards — including a 98‑point estate Pinot Noir Clone 777 (notes below).
What’s most exciting is they are opening the once “exclusive‑to‑members” estate for all to enjoy weekend wine tastings in mid‑April in Stanwood. You can bring a picnic and enjoy the rolling views that pair with their award‑winning wine.
They provide vineyard tours and have a comprehensive wine club that includes features for when you find yourself in Woodinville for their tasting room experience, replete with food pairings by Chef Tori Barr. Check it out at bayernmoor.com.
Bayernmoor Cellars 2023 Pinot Noir Clone 777 (Bayernmoor Vineyard) — Puget Sound AVA
Tasting notes: The nose offers tomato stems, red rose petals, basil, lilies and oregano. The palate is delicate and refined with cherry pits, forest floor, red‑fleshed plums, green olives and Earl Grey, with a mild ginger finish.
Pairing suggestions: Prosciutto, Camembert cheese, fruit salad, lamb gyros, pea soup.
Song pair: “La Vie en Rose” — Édith Piaf
Bayernmoor Cellars 2023 Pinot Noir Clone Précoce (Bayernmoor Vineyard) — Puget Sound AVA
Tasting notes: Scents of saddle, peach‑colored rose petals, violets and ocean breeze introduce a palate of dark cherries, red plum and cranberries — delicate, lingering finish.
Pairing suggestions: Lentils, chicken white‑bean chili, Greek salad, raspberry‑coulis‑drizzled chocolate cake
Song pair: “Price Tag” — Jessie J, ft. B.o.B.
Bayernmoor Cellars 2023 Chardonnay — Columbia Gorge AVA
Tasting notes: The nose offers candied ginger, ripe pear and daffodils, followed by flavors of pineapple, Amish butter, fresh corn and lemon meringue, finishing with caramel.
Pairing suggestions: Crab cakes, Caesar salad, sturgeon with ragù broth, caramel‑apple crème brûlée
Song pair: “Summertime” — Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
Bayernmoor Cellars 2023 Merlot — Horse Heaven Hills AVA
Tasting notes: A complex nose of charred cinnamon, cedar shavings, rye toast, dried basil and pinecones gives way to flavors of jasmine, cola, leather, ripe strawberries, with green peppercorn on the finish.
Pairing suggestions: Shepherd’s pie, Cajun prawns, fire‑kissed broccolini with balsamic glaze, dark chocolate mousse
Song pair: “My Type” — Saint Motel
In closing, I asked Larry if I could get a quote from him. He said simply: “Puget Sound is becoming the next world‑class pinot noir region.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Amberleigh Brownson is the assistant winemaker for GLM Winery in Blaine. She is also a 10-year wine judge and four-time Wine Spectator Award of Excellence recipient.
