Food &Wine honors Charles Smith, a former rocker making excellent wines in Washington State. By Richard Nalley
Nine years ago, this California native was managing a rock band in
Copenhagen when he made an unusual career shift: “I left my life in
Denmark and moved to Walla Walla, Washington
where I knew exactly one person.” That was Cayuse Vineyards’ Christophe
Baron, who had rhapsodized to Smith about the potential of Washington Syrah.
Smith taught himself how to make wine by creating minuscule lots of
Syrah for his own K brand. Now his wines are some of Washington’s most
sought-after. And Smith’s The Magnificent Wine Company wines (House
Wine Red and White) and “modernist” Charles Smith Wines (The Velvet
Devil Merlot, Kung Fu Girl Riesling and more) are among the best values
anywhere. Despite his success, Smith remains a rocker at heart, with
the 80-mph motorcycle habit to prove it.
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