
Baer started his eponymous winery in 2000 in partnership with his sister. The winery started out producing the Ursa Red Wine, a Cabernet Franc-dominant Bordeaux-style blend. Arctos, a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend, was subsequently added. Since 2003 Baer Winery has sourced all of its fruit from Stillwater Creek Vineyard.
Baer Winery made an immediate impression not just for the quality of its wines but also for the experience visiting the winery on release weekends. A large tent would be set up outside the house and live music would be playing. Visits to original winery site remain some of my favorite memories of visiting Woodinville wine country.
Tragically, Lance Baer passed away suddenly in 2007 at age 39. While Lance was the heart and soul of the winery, Lisa Baer says that there was never any serious thought of closing up shop. “We definitely wanted to keep it going as his legacy,” she says of the decision to continue the winery with her father Les, “but not keep it going just to keep it going.”
With the goal of maintaining a consistent quality and style, the winery hired consultant Erica Orr, who had already done work for the winery previously, to assume the position of winemaker. In 2007 the winery moved into the Warehouse district location in Woodinville and is now in its second full year of having a tasting room there.
Baer Winery has not only survived since the passing of its founder; it has thrived. Last year the winery’s 2008 Ursa Red Wine received a 95 point score from Wine Spectator and landed at number 6 on the magazine’s annual Top 100 list. Sales have subsequently surged, and the winery was already close to selling out the 2009 vintage wines at the time of my visit, shortly after their release.
With the winery now entering its thirteenth year, Lisa Baer and her father continue to try to stay true to Lance’s vision. However, they have also evolved it, realizing Lance would have done the same if he were still alive. To this end, the Star Red Wine, a Merlot-centric Bordeaux blend, was added in the 2009 vintage. In 2011, the winery made a Syrah for the first time.
Baer Winery produces 2,400 cases annually.
Baer Winery Star Red Wine Stillwater Creek Vineyard Columbia Valley 2009 $27

Baer Winery Ursa Red Wine Stillwater Creek Vineyard Columbia Valley 2009 $39

Baer Winery Arctos Red Wine Stillwater Creek Vineyard Columbia Valley 2009 $43

Rating System
Please note, my rating system was revised at the beginning of 2012 as follows. Read additional details here.





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