Great Northwest Wine
July 13, 2017

Lake Chelan winemaker Shane Collins wasn’t looking to leave stately Tsillan Cellars, but Rocky Pond Winery offered him an exciting opportunity that allows him to continue to work and live in the community where he grew up.

“I like working for people with big plans and a big vision, and I like being involved with things on the ground level,” Collins told Great Northwest Wine.

Ray Sandidge, who has been producing wine on the north shore of Lake Chelan for more than a decade, will spearhead the 2017 vintage for Tsillan Cellars. Collins will get things set up for Sandidge and continue working for Dr. Bob Jankelson through July 31.

“I respect the marriage between vineyard and the art of winemaking and am excited to work with and craft wines from Tsillan Cellars award-winning vineyards,” Sandidge stated in a news release.

Collins replaces Ron Bunnell, whose winemaking put Rocky Pond Winery on the map. Rocky Pond owner David Dufenhorst pointed to the 2017 Seattle Wine Awards as the latest example of Bunnell’s talent as the 2015 Double D Vineyard Estate Syrah won a double gold, and the 2015 Sauvignon Blanc and 2015 Viognier each received gold medals. Those wines were produced at Bunnell Family Cellar in Prosser, where Bunnell and his wife own and operate the delicious Wine o’Clock Bar & Bistro.>>>Read entire article on Great Northwest Wine

[photo: Duval Images]