Step into the tasting room of Hard Row To Hoe Vineyards in the Lake Chelan region, and you may wonder whether you’re at the winery because the interior is suggestive of something else entirely.
As we later found out, the concept of the tasting room, seating area outside, and wine labels all linked to the lengthy and unusual name. Naturally, our first questions weren’t about their wine but the name of the winery. Why such a long name? And what’s the meaning it?
Winery Story
This winery is an excellent example of people who take winemaking seriously but don’t take themselves too seriously and have fun promoting their wine.
As it turned out, Lake Chelan has a salacious story worthy of tabloids in its past. This story, however provocative it might be, inspired the owners to pick this name of the winery.
Hard Row To Hoe Vineyards
All 28 acres of Estate vineyards located on the North Shore of the lake to take advantage of sun exposure.
The winery was the first to earn LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon Safe certificates for one of their vineyards in the area.
Owners Judy (winemaker) and Don Phelps (vineyard manager) grow over a dozen on grape varietals and make primarily estate wines. On the one hand, growing so many different grapes on one property and in one climate is a bold move and a labor-intensive challenge. On the other, Lake Chelan is still a young wine region. Experimenting with different varietals can help to select the best performing grapes and define region identity. Besides, having such a variety is totally in tune with Hard Row to Hoe’s story.
- Aglianico
- Cabernet Franc
- Chardonnay
- Gewurztraminer
- Grenache Noir
- Malbec
- Marsanne
- Pinot Gris
- Pinot Noir
- Riesling
- Roussanne
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillion
- Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Viognier
It was one of the reasons we decided to visit Hard Row to Hoe on our wineswing trip to Lake Chelan Region. We wanted to taste wines made from locally-grown grapes, compare to the same from different parts of the world and feel the difference local terroir makes.
With that many varietals, we anticipated to taste some exciting and, possibly, uncommon blends, and we were right.
Hard Row To Hoe Wine
The labels on the wine bottles are cohesive with the Hard Row to Hoe name and marketing concept. The sexual innuendo is present in most illustrations and even the names of the wines. For a moment, we thought of similarities with the idea of Naked Winery. Still, in its totality, we find it sexier because it’s not so sex-forward, but rather suggesting and has a historical flavor to it. Moreover, in our opinion, Hard Row to How wine beats Naked Winery wine any day of the week. There’s nothing wrong with Naked wine. They are just boring behind the labels.
The following wines tempted us in a tasting room:
- 2017 Reserve Chardonnay
- 2017 Nauti Buoy White Blend
- 2018 Rose of Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Franc
- 2016 Pinot Noir
- 2016 Cabernet Franc Burning Desire
- 2016 S & M (Syrah Malbec)
And few have seduced us with a Burning Desire to take them home. We both wanted to have another taste of S&M with the help of Nauti Buoy.
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Have you tasted their wines yet? What other exciting wineries with cool concepts you’ve been to?
Drop us a line and join the conversation on our website and social media. We look forward to sharing your story.
