Chris Sparkman of Sparkman Cellars
Sparkman Cellars co-owners Chris and Kelly Sparkman founded the winery in 2004 to focus on their family. Their tagline is “Family. Good Livin’. Real Fine Wine.” Long before the winery, Chris got a Master’s degree in International Environmental Policy, and spent time travelling the world for the International Whaling Commission and working as an Agroforester for the Peace Corps. He also spent several decades managing service teams at high end restaurants in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Washington D. C., and Seattle. At one of these restaurants, he was regularly tasting the finest Bordeaux and Burgundy wines before he was 30. The experience no doubt contributed to his being named Sommelier of the Year in 2010 by Seattle Magazine. As Chris reflects on his varied experiences, the piece of advice that stands out came from legendary restaurateur Ella Brennan. He worked for her at Commander’s Palace in the 1980s, and she would tell her staff, “Greatness is cold salad plates.” This emphasis on attention to detail has stayed with him, and it infuses everything he does today in the winery.
“Real fine wine” is exactly what Sparkman Cellars has come to be known for. Wine Spectator has named the winery a rising star, and their 2013 Holler Cabernet Sauvignon was #21 on WS’s list of Top 100 wines for 2016. They also have one of the finest tasting and event spaces in Woodinville, since moving into the newly renovated Redhook Brewery building in 2020. The Great Hall is spacious and beautiful, and offers views of the barrel room and crush pad. In this interview with Chris, we discuss the story behind Sparkman Cellars, but also his fascinating thinking behind the wines. It’s clear that there’s a larger context for wine at Sparkman that includes history, film, food, music, art and more.
Listen to the Interview: