Siren Song

NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON

AWARDS

Best of Show, Best White Double Gold 2019 Spanish Dancer Albariño

Gold 2016 Beijo - Siren’s Reserve red blend

2019 Belle Tavel Rosé

2016 Raving Beauty Cabernet Sauvignon

5 Silver Medals

The Siren Song villa is a popular Chelan destination for wine lovers.

Provided photo

Siren Song wines nod to romance

Kevin Brown turned back the clock to his memories of living in Spain as a 19-year-old when he crafted Siren Song Vineyard and Estate Winery’s 2019 Spanish Dancer Albariño.

“I had traveled to Galicia, where Albariño is the principle grape,” he said on learning that his Spanish Dancer Albariño had been awarded Best of Show, Best White Wine and a Double Gold medal at the 2020 North Central Washington Wine Awards competition. Judges also awarded Siren Song Vineyard Estate and Winery three Gold Medals for its 2016 Beijo red blend, 2019 Belle Tavel Rosé and its 2016 Raving Beauty Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery also won five Silver Medals.

Kevin and his wife, Holly Brown, opened their lavish estate winery overlooking Lake Chelan in 2015. Kevin started making wine in 2007, was bonded in 2009 and the began selling wine from the couple’s home in Seattle in 2011, when he also gave up his technology jobs and co-purchased two vineyards in Walla Walla’s famed growing area. The couple owns two

more vineyards in Chelan, at the estate, and new plantings close to the Chelan tunnel. Brown said about 85 percent of the grapes used for Siren Song wines now come from his own vineyards. Most of the wine is sold at the winery.

The 2019 Albariño is a blend from grapes he purchased from a Prosser vineyard and those grown on Siren Song’s Chelan vineyards.

“I’ve been making it for about four years, but this last vintage knocked my socks off,” he said. “I picked the grapes a little later and everything just lined up.”

Judges for this year’s competition agreed. Judge’s notes included “lemon lime, orange, tropical fruits, pineapple and green apple. Floral notes on aromas carried through on the palate. Bright juicy acidity and the finish is so clean.”

The Browns name their wines after romantic experiences they’ve found on many trips around the world. Gold Medal-winner Beijo, for example, translates to “kiss” in Portuguese and conjures up memories of samba dancing in Brazil, Kevin said. It’s a velvety blend of estate grown Syrah and Merlot. The 2019 Belle Tavel Rosé, made from 100 percent Grenache grapes, is a nod to the easy drinking pink wines of Provence, France. The Raving Beauty Cabernet Sauvignon is their tribute to the full-bodied Cabs of France’s Pauillac and Margaux regions.

Holly Brown said 2020 has been the most challenging year to sell their wines. Coronavirus concerns have meant the winery only serves wine and food outside. They’ve added takeout wine and food delivery to keep nearly all of the staff working. They’ve had to cancel all music and other entertainment events, but they’ve expanded outside service and have plans for a pumpkin festival that will continue through the fall on the new vineyard property a few miles south of the winery.

In September came the smoke from wildfires near and far that brought more challenges.

“It’s been a challenging time, but challenging times call for innovation,” she said. “It’s been our best summer ever. We’re trying to navigate the changes and do the best we can. People have responded. People feel safe here. And they love our wine.” F

Don Seabrook photo Siren Song wines garnered some serious hardware in the 2020 North Central Wine Awards competition, including Best of Show for its 2019 Spanish Dancer Albariño.

Siren Song owners Kevin and Holly Brown have a lot to smile about, Provided photo including their 2019 Spanish Dancer Albariño earning Best of Show honors in the 2020 North Central Wine Awards competition.