A Family Story
Gilbert Cellars produces world-class wines from our vineyards near Mattawa and Wiley City, Washington. The Gilbert family began farming in the fertile Yakima Valley in 1897 and our tree-fruit company, Gilbert Orchards, is a prominent grower, packer, and shipper in Yakima today. Our commitment to the sustainability of agricultural land in Central Washington now includes a passion for producing delicious wine.
Sean Gilbert - General Manager
Became passionate about wine through his friend, Morgan Peterson, a winemaker in Sonoma, while he was living in New York City. He graduated from Pomona College and lived in Belgium to play and coach baseball for a club team in Brussels. Upon returning to Yakima he began plans to start a winery from the family's vineyards. Sean worked during crush at Januik and Novelty Hill wineries in Woodinville and currently serves as General Manager for Gilbert Cellars.
Justin Neufeld - Winemaker
Grew up in the Naches Valley. He attended the University of Washington and graduated with a degree in Molecular Biology. After an introduction to Doug Gore, then the Director of winemaking for Columbia Crest, Justin realized his true passion was to make wine. He started his career at Chateau St. Michelle and apprenticed in the lab during the 2003 crush. In the Fall of 2004 he worked as the lab technician for Silver Lake Winery, and was promoted to Enologist in the summer of 2005. After two years with Silver Lake, Justin was offered the prestigious position as head winemaker for Glen Fiona Winery in Walla Walla. Fortunately for Gilbert Cellars, Justin's marriage to Brooke Hamilton brought him to Yakima where he assumed the position as head winemaker in 2007.
Curtiss Gilbert bought the Stewart Vineyard in 2002 from the Stewart estate. His vision and support have been integral to the identity of Gilbert Cellars today. His expert farming practices have consistently produced grapes of the highest quality. When not tending to the vineyards, Curt runs Gilbert Orchards along with his brother Cragg Gilbert.
Nate Gilbert, the initial winemaker for Gilbert Cellars, grew up in Yakima and attended Pomona College where he obtained a degree in geology. His love for the mountains and outdoor recreation activities has led him to Santa Cruz, Breckenridge, West Virginia, Mexico and Ecuador. He learned winemaking through the UC Davis distance learning course, through the generous mentoring of consultants and hands-on training at Desert Hills winery in Yakima. He is an artist as well, and is currently pursuing his love of architecture at the University of Washington.
Meggie Gilbert, grew up in Yakima not far from what is now the winery. He father, Curtiss, grows the grapes and tends to the vineyards. She graduated in 2007 from Willamette University with a BA in Art History. Her cousins Nate and Sean invited her to head the marketing efforts for the winery while also pursuing her love of art as a gallery assistant for the Steinbrueck Gallery in Seattle.