Over the weekend during my recent trip to Chelan, I realized that I had never explored any of the tasting rooms in Manson. You will find an entire line of tasting rooms off Highway 150 through Manson. I decided that my first stop would be at C.R. Sandidge Wines.
What lured me to C.R. Sandidge Wines initially was their adorable patio. On the right side of the entrance is an uncovered small table. If you want casual seating to enjoy the sunshine and peek at the landscape with your favorite glass, this is the table for you.
There is also covered seating on the left side of the entrance for larger parties. This is perfect if you’re looking for a shady spot during the summer in Chelan. It is decorated with elegant string lights for evening wine tastings.
Luckily, there is plenty of seating inside if you are trying to escape the heat altogether. Alternatively, this will be a warm and inviting place to take your loved ones during the holiday season.
The host was generous and offered me crackers to go with my wine tasting for a more rounded experience. Unfortunately, I am gluten-free so I couldn’t partake! They do offer other nibbles such as cheeses and flatbreads.
I learned a lot from the host at C.R. Sandidge Wines. There is a rich story behind winemaker Charles Ray Sandidge and the wine blends themselves. He delivered an encyclopedic knowledge about the grapes. Not only that, but the host was also able to illustrate beautiful pairings with each glass.
I started the tasting with the Tyee Sparkling Wine, which was perfect for 90-degree weather! Immediately, I was blown away by the flavor. For me, this was an entirely different experience than other blends of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It was crisp, not too sweet, and fresh. When they say that there are flavors of ripe Bartlett pear, you can taste it. I was immediately in love!
I enjoyed the art on the bottle of the 2021 Glam Gams Rosé. This Rosé is 100% Grenache and a perfect summer sipper.
I was able to enjoy a variety of reds that all had distinct flavors. Most importantly, I took home the 2019 Caris Red Blend (46% Merlot, 27% Malbec, and 27% Cabernet Franc) and I couldn’t resist their Port! The Devil’s Smoke Stack Port (
I highly recommend stopping by C.R. Sandidge Wines when you visit Lake Chelan!
~Kaiti
