Troy and Kim Goodreau
Troy Goodreau was making wine long before he was old enough to drink. As early as 8th grade, he was helping his father make wine for family consumption, especially during hunting trips. In the late 1970s he worked for a winery in Sumner, WA, after taking food and wine science classes at Napa Valley College and Washington State University. Kim has had a long career in social work, but now manages the Thrall and Dodge Tasting Room in Kittitas, and helps out with punch downs and other aspects of the winemaking process. The two met over thirty years ago, but went their separate ways until recently, when they met again over wine and ended up getting married.
Opening its doors in 2005, Thrall and Dodge is the oldest commercial winery in the Kittitas Valley, an area that now has a vintners association and at least 6 wineries and a distillery. The winery is next to a small vineyard that grows mainly Riesling. Many other varietals for Thrall and Dodge wines come from the Burgess Vineyard in Pasco. Troy and Kim produce both single varietal wines and blends, including some that are co-fermented. The lovely new tasting room is in the historic Carrico building in Kittitas, with two spacious suites above that are available for year-round rental. It’s an ideal place to come for biking, hiking and sipping. Enjoy this interview and learn about the Kittitas Valley as a growing area, the advantages of co-fermentation, and much more.
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