Arbor Crest Wine Cellars

Specialties

Our winemaker, Kristina van Löben Sels, understands that excellent wines begin with the grape in the vineyard. When selecting the fruit for Arbor Crest’s wines, she pays strict attention to the vineyard location, with specific emphasis placed on the quality of the soil and the vines. Throughout the year, Kristina works closely with our distinguished growers to achieve the most concentrated and balanced fruit possible, and is on site during the harvest season to make sure our grapes are picked at their peak.

Once the fruit is received by the winery, Kristina takes a minimalist approach to her winemaking process to protect the essence of the grapes. She maintains pure fruit quality through limited handling, and by avoiding invasive techniques including the use of excessive oak. Kristina’s goal is to capture the power of the fruit and purity of the vineyard to produce wines with balance and style that pair easily with food and have natural integrity for their region.

History

Established in 1982.

Arbor Crest Wine Cellars was the 29^th winery in Washington State, and began when the Mielke family took advantage of the budding wine industry and converted their family cherry packing facility into the Inland Northwest’s premier winery.

Shortly after, in 1984, they acquired the historic Spokane Valley estate of Royal Riblet to serve as the idyllic new headquarters of the winery. Located atop a 450 ft. cliff with exquisite views of the city, The Cliff House Estate has become a destination for exceptional wines and memorable public events.

In 1999, the family business came full-​circle as Kristina Mielke-​van Löben Sels, the Mielke’s daughter, came from her position as associate winemaker at Ferrari-​Carano Vineyards in Sonoma County, CA, to become head winemaker. Kristina, and her husband Jim, who has a strong background in agricultural economics and viticulture, have since expanded our wine sales world-​wide, and are celebrating over a decade of creating elegant, award-​winning wines.

Meet the Business Owner

Kristina V.

Business Owner

Kristina Mielke-​van Loben Sels, second generation of the Mielke family to oversee Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, brings both education and practical skill to her work. Graduating in Fermentation Science from the University of California at Davis, Kristina came to Arbor Crest in 1999 after several years as the assistant winemaker at Ferrari-​Carano Vineyards and Winery in Healdsburg, California.

Arbor Crest Wine Cellars also recommends

Catered For You

1

review

Caterers

Kristina V. says,

«Catered for You is Arbor Crest’s preferred catering service.»