Plumb Cellars is what it is today because of Edie and Dale Johnson, Gary and Margo Kagels, and Crandall and Alysa Kyle. Back in 2003 the three couples took what they thought was a wine tasting class at the community college put on by the late Stan Clark. It turned out to be a wine making class and the three couples really got into it. 

They surprised themselves on the quality of wine they were capable of producing and soon they started making wine out of their garage. Their prime focus was creating the best Bordeaux style blend they could. 

Giving away wine to their friends became expensive so the three couples decided to go commercial and actually charge people for their bottles. By 2006 the couples had invested in an estate vineyard and a downtown tasting room.  

Gary, who is also a custom home builder built a Bed and Breakfast on the South side of town, named Girasol in between two other wineries, Northstar and Pepper Bridge. The proprietors of the B & B did not care to develop the ten acres their property sat on- so the three couples took out a long term lease and designed and built a vineyard which is today known as JK II Vineyard. They planted Viognier, Sangiovese, and Syrah.

Now they had to name their wine. Gary insisted the name had to be easy to pronounce and spell (that eliminated anything French or Italian). Because Gary said “plumb” about 20 times a day (in reference to the plumb bob) while constructing the vineyard—the couples decided to call themselves Plumb Cellars. The name stuck. 

So if you call yourselves Plumb Cellars, you better have a “damn straight” wine. Damn Straight became the name of their flagship, award winning, Bordeaux style blend. 

Plumb is also consistently winning awards for the rest of their portfolio as well. They produce a 100% Estate Viognier (known as Afternoon Delight), a 100% Estate Sangiovese, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, an estate Syrah which is co-fermented with the Viognier, and a light, dry and frisky blend they named Plumb Crazy. They are currently producing between 1200 and 1500 cases a year. All partners are active in the wine production. It is all produced by committee.

In the heart of downtown Walla Walla, Plumb Cellars shares its space with a framing business, Darrah’s, which has been a staple here for 40 years. 

The partners furnished the tasting room with wine barrel furniture produced by local artist Doug Gisi. They also include featured artists each month of various mediums for their walls, They broke through a brick wall and introduced a new patio along Mill Creek which seats about 30 and is lined with black and white umbrellas & beautiful flower pots in the summer. 

They have added new employees, and introduced entertainment of all sorts Friday and Saturday evenings, pouring wines by the glass, bottle purchase or beer! Yes, they now have beer!

Their wine club is generous and member focused. Plumb is committed to being open seven days a week. Also, the patio has become an evening favorite with the water rushing by from Mill Creek. 

When you visit Plumb Cellars you can expect to have a good time. Their employees will educate you on the area, suggest other wineries to visit and share downtown restaurant menus. That’s Damn Straight!