What makes Dineen Vineyards unique? Let’s start with the place. We are nestled in the perfect nook of an AVA in Washington with latitude, soil and elevation that are, in fact, actually quite distinct. Not only that, but we are also focused entirely on making wine exclusively from our pristine estate vineyard. We are truly defined by where we are. Now the people. Founded in 2001 by Patrick Dineen and now run by his daughter, Marissa Dineen, we are a family business with a long-term vision that is a true (and early adopter) focus on sustainability and all that entails. We aren’t only interested in the health of the vines, but also the land, the industry, and the community. In keeping with the ideals of stability and longevity, our winemaking goal is to focus on the classics of Bordeaux and Rhône grape varieties done to excellence. I joined the team here because in my 15-year career, I have worked with grapes throughout Washington from the most renowned vineyards and AVAs, and Dineen Vineyards always stands out among the best of the best. I get to work with the best raw material, and with people who have the right perspective and goals to create something wonderful and sustainable.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained.
One of the wonderful things about the task of winemaking is that it is an intersection of artistry and science. I believe that great art is created around, within, and because of constraints. A poet is forced to create the perfect phrase because they are constrained by meter and rhyme. Wine is always constrained by the growing season; and how one adapts to that constraint separates good from great. I don’t think there is a perfect scenario without obstacles to overcome. That’s part of the fun. I have goals and ambitions for improvement, but each change will bring new challenges. Meeting challenges and discovering solutions is one of the great joys in life.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
Selecting one wine is difficult because we do many things well with both white wines and red. Today, however, if you must try only one wine, that is the Heritage Red. Heritage is a Bordeaux-style red blend. Each element is carefully chosen from the very best of our Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot lots, and then individual barrels are chosen to create a blend that is complex, balanced, food-friendly, and age-worthy. These red varieties all shine in the vineyard for different reasons, and we’ve perfected growing techniques targeted at each one individually. Since it is a blend, it captures the vineyard as a whole, and it is the pinnacle of our red winemaking. Read this wine review here.
Bonus Question: Why Winemaking?
Winemaking is a yearly puzzle—equal parts science, instinct, and artistry—where thousands of decisions, from harvest to bottling, shape the final wine. A great wine can hinge on the tiniest shift in a single compound, and it’s the winemaker’s job to detect and elevate those nuances. My goal is simple: create wines people love. Like a great film or novel that speaks to everyone, a great wine captures the grapes’ natural charm while building complexity, concentration, and depth.