The Unexpected Side of Yakima Valley Wine w/ Dusty Jenkins (Part 1)

Ep 174

Washington wine may be known for its big, bold reds, but Yakima Valley has a much more unexpected side.

Winemaker Dusty Jenkins is embracing that side through Sage Rat Wine, where he creates fresh, approachable wines that offer a different perspective on what Washington wine can be. After leaving a career in film and moving to Walla Walla to study winemaking, Dusty eventually found his way back to the Yakima Valley, where the freedom to do things a little differently became the perfect fit for the wines he wanted to make.

In this episode, Dusty shares how winning half a ton of grapes unexpectedly led to the creation of Sage Rat, where the unusual name came from, and why he sees Yakima Valley as an underdog in Washington wine. We also get into the diversity of grapes grown throughout the region, his "ready for anything" approach to wine, what sustainability means at Sage Rat, and the three wines he recommends trying for a taste of what he's creating.

If your idea of Washington wine starts and ends with big reds, this episode will introduce you to a different side of what the state can produce.

Thank you to Full Pull Wines for sponsoring this episode. Go to www.fullpullwines.com to sign up for their FREE mailing list and start discovering delicious wines at ridiculously low prices!

Connect with Dusty:

Website: https://www.sageratwine.com/

Episode Highlights:

• Dusty's unexpected path from film to wine
• The harvest that changed his approach to winemaking
• How winning half a ton of grapes started Sage Rat
• The story behind the Sage Rat name
• Dusty's "ready for anything" wine philosophy
• Why Yakima Valley is a wine underdog
• The diversity of grapes grown in Yakima Valley
• Making lighter, fresher Washington wines
• What sustainable winemaking means at Sage Rat
• Three Sage Rat wines to try

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Podcast production and management by Liz Chapman