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The Rotary Club of Des Moines is delighted to be able to offer a new winery to the stellar list of wineries that will be showcasing their wines at the 8th Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival. Fivash Cellars of Sammamish will now be pouring at the event. Ric Jacobson, the wine chair of the festival and owner of Corky Cellars, is excited to have them on board, “Fivash Cellars has a great offering of Walla Walla wines and is receiving good reviews from our customers at Corky Cellars.”
Owners and winemakers, Scott and Margaret Fivash, got their introduction to the Washington wine industry by featuring the “Best of Washington Wines” in Washington CEO magazine, which they owned and operated for more than 15 years. In 2006, Scott and Margaret moved to Walla Walla to learn more about the wine business. While there, Margaret earned an AAAS degree in Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College Institute for Enology and Viticulture, Scott attended the Wine Executive program at UC Davis, and they both worked at various wineries for 3 years to gain experience. When the couple’s 11-acre home in Sammamish wouldn’t sell in the down economy, it seemed close to crushing their dreams of opening a winery in Walla Walla. However, for Scott and Margaret, the dilemma lead to an even better idea; they chose to turn their sprawling estate into a winery. A wood shop was converted into the winery, holding dozens of the iconic oak barrels, and giving Margaret plenty of space for her wine chemistry.
While the wine is priced for executives, the winery is as relaxed as visiting a friend’s home. Starting the business has been work, but it’s also been fun. “When I got into the wine business, I got into it because of how much fun everyone was having, not realizing how much work it really is and how much time it takes to produce a final product, but all good things take time,” Scott said.
Come to the Poverty Bay Wine Festival on March 2-4, where you can meet Scott and Margaret in person and and sample their 2010 Walla Walla Chardonnay or their 2007 Workshop Red. For more information about the 8th Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival, please visit www.dmrotary.org.]]>
