If you like to pair your wines with tunes, look no further than Sleight of Hand Cellars (SoH) in Walla Walla, Seattle or Woodinville, WA. Co-owner Trey Busch loves music, which is apparent in each tasting room. The decor includes more than two thousand record albums, music posters, a juke box, guitars and more. According to Trey, “Our only goal has been to make world class wines while having the most fun that is legally possible.” Consequently, that’s just what we did in May, when we visited the SoH tasting room in Walla Walla.

Sleight of Hand (SoH) Story

In 2007, Sleight of Hand Cellars opened in a Walla Walla storefront. Subsequently, in 2011, SoH moved to its current property in southern Walla Walla. Further, in 2016, the second tasting room opened in Seattle. Next, a new TR in Woodinville launched a few months ago.

Trey Busch, the co-owner who oversees the winemaking, said, “Our tasting rooms are something everyone who loves wine and music should experience at least once (and hopefully often). We have over 2,000 albums from a wide range of musical genre, with turntables spinning vinyl. Great wine, great music, and lots of fun—that’s our recipe for the Sleight of Hand lifestyle.”

We noticed this every time we’ve seen Trey, starting in 2010 at a wine bloggers conference in Walla Walla, and most recently, earlier this year at Walla Walla Wine on Tour in Seattle (pictured with Bethany from the Seattle SoDo tasting room). He’s upbeat, and frequently bubbles over with enthusiasm – not only about his wines but also his passion for music, especially Pearl Jam.

As mentioned, Trey is in charge of the winemaking. Co-owner and Director of Winemaking, Jerry Solomon, and Production Winemaker Keith Johnson round out the winemaking team. Together, they have guided this unique Washington winery to greatness. (Keith also spearheads the Devium label.)

Overall, in the 17 years since the winery opened, Sleight of Hand generated a multitude of awards, in addition to accolades such as “the crème’ de la crème’ of the state’s wineries.”

SoH Wines

Unfortunately, Trey couldn’t join us during our time at the Walla Walla tasting room. Not surprisingly, he was at a Pearl Jam concert in Seattle. Instead, Tasting Room Manager Traci Garrett, who is both witty and knowledgeable, greeted us. She poured five 2021 red wines: The Illusionist Cabernet Sauvignon, The Archimage Reserve, Off He Goes Syrah, Psychedelic Syrah, and Spiders from Mars.

The Illusionist Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 ($65)

This impressive, luxurious Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is outstanding. The Cab (90%) is blended with 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Trey sourced the grapes from estate vineyard blocks in the Horse Heaven Hills, Walla Walla, and Red Mountain AVAs. So, of course, this wine shines, with a lively nose, and a palate coated with gorgeous, textured layers of dark fruit, chocolate and cassis. And better yet, you can cellar this beauty for 15 more years. Traci told us The Illusionist “will always be the best of our Cabernet. It’s the big daddy.” We tasted this and thought about pairing it with ribeye steaks.

Sleight of Hand The Archimage Reserve Red Wine 2021 ($65)

Archimage Reserve 2021 is the best vintage yet of this spectacular Cabernet Franc (54%)-Merlot (46%) blend from Walla Walla and Red Mountain – and we’ve tasted both the revered 2016 and the magnificent 2019. Like its predecessors, Archimage 2021 features balance, power, layered complexity, and a rich, plush mouthfeel. But this vintage displays more finesse and is even more impressive than previous vintages. Aromas and flavors of blueberries and blackberries dominate, with hints of caramel, cinnamon and bell peppers. SoH calls it “a cellar candidate” with a 20-year life span. We brought a bottle home, and we’re going to wait at least three years before opening it. Yes, it will test our patience!

Off He Goes Syrah 2021 ($75)

Off He Goes Syrah is a limited edition, single-barrel-select Syrah from renowned Les Collines Vineyard. You know 100% Syrah from Les Collines, in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, will show well. This is a big Syrah, with beautiful aromatics and fantastic dark fruits. We found it still tight but oozing with potential. And this is a special wine for many reasons. The back label contains lyrics from the Pearl Jam song of the same name. It’s a heartfelt memorial tribute to winemaker Eric Dunham of Dunham Cellars, Trey’s friend and mentor, who tragically passed away in 2014. Trey was Dunham Cellars’ first employee. A portion of the proceeds from this wine is donated to the Seattle chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, in Eric’s honor.

Sleight of Hand Rocks

Psychedelic Syrah 2021 ($75) is our favorite SoH wine, among a lineup of excellence. This is 100% Syrah from Estate Stoney Vine Vineyard in the Rocks District. This standout wine exhibits a subtle Rocks’ funky nose and savory flavors of smoked meats, bacon fat, wet stones, earth, olives, black pepper and lots of red and dark fruit. It’s balanced, textured, complex and elegant – quite simply, a bottle of deliciousness.

Spiders from Mars Syrah 2021 ($125) is sourced from the fractured basalt in the “Ziggy Stardust Block” at Elevation Vineyard. Yes, the vineyard block is named after David Bowie’s stage persona, and the wine’s name is in honor of Bowie’s backing band in the early 1970s. Wow, this is one unique Syrah, which we had never tasted before. On the nose, we found coffee, granite and black olives. On the palate, we tasted both savory and tart flavors of more olives, plums, citrus notes, salinity and minerality. This is a stunner.

Summary: SoH

In conclusion, we highly recommend both the remarkable wines and the fun vibe at Sleight of Hand Cellars. Be sure to stop by any of their three tasting rooms, and sip through their outstanding portfolio.

Meanwhile, find us here at Write for Wine and on Instagram and Facebook.

Cheers!
Margot and Dave