{"id":38,"name":"House of Smith Wines","image_url":"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gps-cs-s/AC9h4nqPI4Cl09uIYDjay6y0tCqsyd1NrZT9BsGrv9YygR1fYFwASM0sD8iAZeG9oc3ucd9WJiVTjQQW3s3ZxMhovlczXkIKMaCPEqcUV2aK_n7pU7dkNNeSXc3F-T8frtgsXYQhrtLz=w408-h306-k-no","district":"Downtown","hours":"Tue - Sun, 11AM-6PM (last tasting 5:15PM)","hours_type":"limited","dog_friendly":true,"red_wine":true,"white_wine":true,"bubbles":true,"brewery":false,"woman_owned":false,"year_established":1999,"winemaker":"Charles Smith","website":"https://houseofsmith.com/visit-us/#WW","phone":"(509) 526-5230","address":"35 S Spokane St, Walla Walla, WA 99362","description":"In converted auto shops pulsing with rock music, Charles Smith pours award‑winning wines through crank‑operated windows, blending grit and glamour","lat":46.0681381,"lng":-118.3350067,"appt_url":"https://www.exploretock.com/house-of-smith-tasting-room-walla-walla","walk_in":false,"tasting_fee":null,"explorer_tags":["lighter reds","surprise"],"profile":"# House of Smith Wines — Sommelier Knowledge Profile\n\n## Founding Story\n\nHouse of Smith Wines traces its origins to a chance road trip to Walla Walla, Washington, in 1999, when Charles Smith arrived with nearly nothing in his pockets and produced his first vintage: 330 cases of 1999 K Syrah, sold out of the back of his 1987 Astro van. That unlikely beginning launched what would become one of Washington State's most celebrated wine enterprises. Over the following two decades, Smith developed and later sold several iconic brands — including House Wine, Charles Smith Wines, and Substance — before renaming and consolidating his remaining portfolio under the House of Smith banner in 2021. The renamed entity encompasses the brands K Vintners, CasaSmith, SIXTO, and Golden West, together covering nearly every noble grape variety. The rebranding marked both a new chapter and a reaffirmation of Smith's core philosophy: fiercely independent winemaking rooted in Washington terroir, sustainability, and integrity.\n\n## Winemaker\n\nCharles Smith is the founder and winemaker behind House of Smith Wines and its associated brands. His path to winemaking was anything but conventional. He became intrigued with wine while working in restaurants at age 19, but before pursuing that interest fully, he spent a decade touring Europe as a rock band manager based in Denmark. Returning to the United States, he immersed himself in the Seattle music scene before opening a wine shop on Bainbridge Island — an experience that ultimately left him wanting to create wines rather than simply sell them. That desire led him to Walla Walla in 1999.\n\nSmith is entirely self-directed in his approach, and his winemaking philosophy centers on what he calls an honest reflection of time and place. He employs old-school winemaking techniques: native yeast fermentation on all wines, extended days on skins, and zero use of pesticides, herbicides, or adjuncts of any kind. All wines are made exclusively from Washington-grown grapes. His style has earned him the informal title of \"rockstar winemaker,\" a designation that reflects both his background in music and the cultural impact his wines have had on the Pacific Northwest wine scene.\n\n## Vineyard Sources\n\nHouse of Smith sources from over 600 acres of vineyards, with the winery managing all farming directly and citing no outside influence on viticulture decisions. The operation is described as fiercely independent and dedicated to sustainability on all levels, underscored by its strict no-pesticide, no-herbicide policy. The K Vintners tasting location sits at the base of the Blue Mountains on historic farmland originally homesteaded in 1853, adjacent to an 1872-built farmhouse — suggesting deep roots in some of the Walla Walla Valley's most storied agricultural land.\n\n## Signature Wines and Accolades\n\nCharles Smith's winemaking legacy is anchored by several landmark wines. In 2006, he created Royal City Syrah, a cult-favorite whose inaugural vintage made Smith one of only four Washington winemakers ever to earn a perfect 100-point score. His broader portfolio has generated over 300 scores of 95 points or above and over 1,400 scores of 90 points or above from leading wine publications. Previously developed brands introduced smash-hit wines including Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Boom Boom Syrah, and Velvet Devil Merlot, all of which brought national attention to Washington wine. The House of Smith portfolio today spans nearly every noble grape variety across four brands: K Vintners, CasaSmith, SIXTO, and Golden West.\n\nMajor industry recognition includes Wine & Spirits Magazine Winery of the Year (2008), Food & Wine Winemaker of the Year (2009), Wine Enthusiast Winemaker of the Year (2014), and two appearances on the Wine Spectator Top 100 List, placing at #2 and #13 in 2017.\n\n## Tasting Rooms\n\n**House of Smith Walla Walla** is located just off Main Street in a converted old auto-repair warehouse, designed with the help of Seattle-based Olson Kundig Architects. The space features two large crank-operated steel swing windows that open onto sidewalk seating, blending industrial character with a welcoming, music-forward atmosphere. The tasting room is open seven days a week from 10AM to 6PM, with walk-ins welcome. Wine flights, wine by the glass or bottle, and reservation options are all available. Dogs are welcome on the exterior seating.\n\n**K Vintners** is the original, seasonally open location situated at the base of the Blue Mountains on historic farmland. It operates Fridays and Saturdays from April through late October, offering a more intimate, historically grounded visitor experience.\n\n**House of Smith Jet City** in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood — not a Walla Walla location but relevant context — is housed in a former Dr. Pepper bottling plant and is recognized as the largest urban winery in the Western United States, also designed by Olson Kundig Architects.\n\n## Winery Character\n\nHouse of Smith occupies a singular position in Washington wine. Charles Smith has built a reputation on the idea that wine should be significant, expressive of its origins, and made for people rather than critics — even as critics have responded with extraordinary enthusiasm. The winery's identity blends rock-and-roll sensibility with rigorous, low-intervention viticulture and winemaking. The absence of pesticides, herbicides, and adjuncts, combined with native yeast fermentation and extended skin contact, reflects a commitment to transparency and terroir that Smith frames as winemaking with integrity. The House of Smith name, adopted in 2021, signals both continuity and ambition: a multi-brand platform built to explore the full range of Washington's viticultural potential while remaining wholly independent.","somm_notes":[{"title":"Patti's notes on House of Smith","content":"This cult favorite winery is definitely worth a visit. Set in a converted warehouse with a wide range of wines to taste, it's a fun spot for both beginner wine lovers and seasoned sippers. The 'Charlotte Blend' is hands-down my top pick."}],"wines":[{"name":"KV Powerline Grenache Rosé","vintage":"2024","variety":"Grenache Rosé","price":"$35.00"},{"name":"Phil Lane Syrah","vintage":"2023","variety":"Syrah","price":"$75.00"},{"name":"The Beautiful Syrah","vintage":"2022","variety":"Syrah","price":"$60.00"},{"name":"Klein Syrah","vintage":"2022","variety":"Syrah","price":"$75.00"},{"name":"Powerline Syrah","vintage":"2022","variety":"Syrah","price":"$60.00"},{"name":"Cougar Hills Syrah","vintage":"2009","variety":"Syrah","price":"$69.00"},{"name":"Morrison Lane Syrah","vintage":"2008","variety":"Syrah","price":"$72.00"}],"patti":null,"visitor_ratings":[{"source":"google","rating":4.5,"count":148},{"source":"yelp","rating":3.7,"count":62}],"sample_reviews":[{"source":"yelp","reviewer":"Corrie H.","rating":null,"rating_max":5.0,"text":"We hit Charles Smith on our way out of town, which meant that we were arriving at the very odd hour of 10am on a Tuesday.","date":null},{"source":"yelp","reviewer":"Kim D.","rating":null,"rating_max":5.0,"text":"From the K Vintners, all the Syrahs were great, but the El Jeffe Tempranillo was my favorite.","date":null}],"critic_scores":[{"wine_name":"Pinot Noir","vintage":2021,"score":97,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Moxee Chardonnay","vintage":2021,"score":96,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Pleasure Sex Rosé","vintage":2024,"score":95,"source":"Vinous","critic":"Vinous","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Moxee Chardonnay","vintage":2021,"score":95,"source":"Jeb Dunnuck","critic":"Jeb Dunnuck","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Cinghiale Sangiovese","vintage":2021,"score":95,"source":"Wine Advocate","critic":"Wine Advocate","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Pleasure Sex Rosé","vintage":2024,"score":94,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Frenchman Hills Chardonnay","vintage":2021,"score":94,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Moxee Chardonnay","vintage":2021,"score":94,"source":"Vinous","critic":"Vinous","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Roza Hills Chardonnay","vintage":2021,"score":94,"source":"Jeb Dunnuck","critic":"Jeb Dunnuck","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Roza Hills Chardonnay","vintage":2021,"score":94,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Cinghiale Sangiovese","vintage":2021,"score":94,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Pinot Noir","vintage":2021,"score":94,"source":"Jeb Dunnuck","critic":"Jeb Dunnuck","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Pleasure Sex Rosé","vintage":2024,"score":93,"source":"Jeb Dunnuck","critic":"Jeb Dunnuck","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Porcospino Primitivo","vintage":2022,"score":93,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Frenchman Hills Chardonnay","vintage":2021,"score":93,"source":"Vinous","critic":"Vinous","tasting_note":null}],"community_scores":[{"wine_name":"Old Bones Syrah","vintage":2007,"score":98,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.8/5 (27 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Royal City Syrah","vintage":2013,"score":96,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.6/5 (256 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Royal City Syrah","vintage":2017,"score":95,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.5/5 (1,384 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Royal City Syrah","vintage":2014,"score":95,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.5/5 (1,384 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Skull Syrah","vintage":2007,"score":94,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.4/5 (31 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Lawrence Vineyard Viognier","vintage":2013,"score":93,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.3/5 (42 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Stoneridge Vineyard Viognier","vintage":2013,"score":90,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.0/5 (59 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Kung Fu Girl Riesling","vintage":2007,"score":90,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.0/5 (301 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Pure Wine Pleasure Sex Pinot Noir Rosé","vintage":2024,"score":89,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 3.9/5 (44 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Syrah","vintage":2013,"score":89,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 3.9/5 (50 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":1990,"score":89,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 3.9/5 (26 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Boom Boom! Syrah","vintage":1980,"score":89,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 3.9/5 (32 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"The Velvet Devil Merlot","vintage":2022,"score":88,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 3.8/5 (185 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Kung Fu Girl Riesling","vintage":2022,"score":88,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 3.8/5 (64,788 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Black Crown Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":2014,"score":88,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 3.8/5 (367 ratings)"}],"events":[{"title":"House of Laughs Comedy Show","start_date":"2026-11-13","start_time":null,"url":"https://houseofsmith.com/wine-events-seattle-walla-walla/","is_members_only":false},{"title":"Thursday Blues - Live Music (Diego Romero Band)","start_date":"2026-11-21","start_time":null,"url":"https://houseofsmith.com/wine-events-seattle-walla-walla/","is_members_only":false}]}