Ron serves as manager and winemaker of the winery that he founded in 1998. Located at the local airport in an old World War II Fire Station, he is the big man behind the scenes…
Tamarack Cellars is owned and operated by Ron, and his wife, Jamie Coleman. Ron serves as manager and winemaker while Jamie is kept busy as a full time Ophthalmologist in private practice along and mother of three beautiful girls, Natalie, Teagan and Kaelie.
Ron began his career in the wine business in Seattle as a wine wholesaler. Upon Jamie’s medical school graduation and a subsequent move for residency to Milwaukee, WI, Ron shifted gears and worked as a sommelier at the Pfister Hotel and as a retail wine store manager. In 1993, they moved to Walla Walla so Jamie could be a small town Doc and Ron could learn to make wine. After some stints as a cellar rat at Waterbrook and then Canoe Ridge, the next step was their own winery. Tamarack was founded in 1998 at the airport in an old World War II Fire Station where it still is today. The rest, as they say, is history.
Merlot sourced from some of the state’s top vineyards, like Seven Hills and Tapteil, is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec to make this streamlined, berry-rich red.
This wine is really all about chocolate, especially when first opened. A ripe black raspberry-jam scent emerges from underneath, with candied plum flavors giving buyancy to that cocoa'd base. With time this wine becomes more ample and fresh, both juicy and mouthfilling. A syrah for barbecued ribs.
Tamarack adds Sangiovese to our suite of varietals! We crafted a food- friendly and full-bodied wine with sweet tannins and a smooth finish.