Inside the Winemaker's Studio with Yvonne Swanberg, San Juan Vineyards

Guest Blogger:  Jamee Nunnelee

Jamee:  When did you fall in love with wine?

Yvonne:  I have always loved wine, and started out with the cheap stuff back in the 70's i.e. Mateus !!!

Jamee:  What was your inspiration for your wine label?  Why the picture, etc.

Yvonne:  The picture on the wine label is that of our Tasting Room which is a turn of the century schoolhouse.   So, that explains the inspiration as well.

Jamee:  What year did you release your first vintage?

Yvonne:  The first release from San Juan Vineyards was 2000.

Jamee:  How many cases of wine do you produce annually?

Yvonne:  We now produce around 3200 cases a year, down a bit from the last couple years.

Jamee:  What wines are you known for? 

Yvonne:  For red wine, we are most known for our Cabernet Franc.   For white wine, we are known for our Estate Grown Siegerrebe and Madeleine Angevine.

Jamee:  Though you may look up to many, name just one person in the wine business that you hope to emulate and why.

Yvonne:  I really don't emulate others.   I'm ready to retire and would like to find some people with young, ambitious blood to take over the business

Jamee:  What is your favorite place to drink wine, or who is your favorite person to drink wine with?

Yvonne:  My favorite person(s) are my best friends to sip wine here on the porch of our Tasting Room.

Jamee:  What is your most memorable experience with your wine? (good or bad- could be production, pouring events, anything)

Yvonne:  I believe the most memorable experience was winning our first Gold Medals at the WA Wine Competition back in 2005, when my husband suffering from his cancer, looked on.