Like most artisan winemakers, Leroy Radford has worn a lot of hats. And he’s never afraid to try on new ones. With a résumé that includes stints as a Broadway dancer and a multi-media designer, he welcomes the growth and excitement that come with pursuing new dreams. So when wine became his passion, Radford jumped right in, enrolling in enology and viticulture programs, first in Oregon and then at South Seattle Community College. After graduating, he began earning his winemaking chops at both Mark Ryan and Baer wineries before launching Flying Dreams Winery in 2008.

With a commitment to exploring Spanish varietals and Spanish-style blends, Flying Dreams focuses much of their winemaking on the unique character of the Iberian trinity: Tempranillo, Garnacha and Monastrell. Spanish-style wines are still relatively unknown to many Washington wine enthusiasts, but they’re starting to emerge as the next wave of great Washington wines.

Now, with the resounding success of Flying Dreams, Leroy has started following a new dream: hard cider. What began as some fun experimenting back in 2013 gradually led to the birth of Winsome Ciderworks (formally Woodinville Ciderworks) two years later. Using only Washington apples, he now produces seven different cider flavor profiles, from Asian Pear and Oaked Chipotle to Apricot Hop and Pomegranate Cherry. Always eager to introduce people to the nuances and unexpected flavors of his ciders, Radford’s customer base has grown from a handful of local bars and restaurants several years ago to over 150 today. A sweet testament to the stuff of dreams.

Learn more and shop Winsome Ciderworks HERE.