Ryan Crane of Kerloo Cellars
When Ryan Crane left Seattle to study winemaking in Walla Walla, he was leaving a good job to pursue his passion and calling. After studying at Walla Walla Community College and working with winemakers Marie-Eve Gilla and Justin Wylie, Ryan founded Kerloo Cellars in 2007, named for the call sound of cranes. His wines are also a call to share in his passion for true-to-varietal, vineyard driven wines. In 2013 Seattle Magazine named Kerloo Washington’s “Best Emerging Winery,” and high scores and accolades continue to come Ryan’s way. He now has a second tasting room in the SODO neighborhood of Seattle, along with a new winemaking facility.
Ryan sources grapes from some of Washington’s top vineyards, including Red Willow, Upland Estates, Stone Tree, Klipsun, Blue Mountain, and Painted Hills. He favors traditional winemaking techniques, even foot stomping for some varietals. If you like Rhone wines, Kerloo is the place for you. Ryan currently has Grenache Blanc, Grenache Rosé, three Syrahs, a Mourvèdre, and a GSM blend in his tasting room lineup. He also offers two Cabs - a Sodo Cellars Deadbird bargain at $18 and a single-vineyard one from Klipsun. Hear about these wines, whole cluster fermentation, the virtues of concrete barrels for fermentation and aging, the different ways to make rosè, and much more in this interview.
Listen to the Interview: