By Lindsay Peyton

Wine tasting doesn’t have to be paired with a long drive.

Instead of road tripping to Napa or trekking to Walla Walla, West Seattle residents can sample the fruits of “urban wineries” right in their own backyards.

Ben Viscon makes wine in the neighborhood – and pours selections from Viscon Cellars weekly at his tasting room located at 5910 California Ave SW. The shop is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and during the West Seattle Art Walk.

“We’re making an in-city experience, with a local product,” Viscon said. “We bring the grapes into West Seattle, create the product here, and then we’re able to share it with neighbors and friends.”

Originally from El Paso, Viscon has a background in retail management, working at Dillard’s, Starbucks and REI. His most recent post was working with an advertising agency in Seattle.

Viscon started making wine in 2004. He was inspired to give it a try after volunteering at other wineries and vineyards.

“I had an inkling to start experimenting,” he said. “I’m self-taught. I read a lot of books, bought equipment and built a basement winery. I had fun with it so I continued.”

Soon the test drive became a more serious adventure. Viscon signed up to study viticulture and enology at the University of California, Davis.

“I realized I had a passion for this,” he said. “Wine-making allowed me to explore my artistic side. It was in there, and I wanted to express it. Besides, everyone is happy to see you when you pour them a glass of wine.”

Viscon started slowly building his business, and increasing the production of wine. The key was finding the ideal vineyards to provide the grapes.

“It’s like a chef working with premium ingredients – fresh caught fish or vegetables pulled right from the garden,” he said. “You start forming relationships and building trust.”

He opened the storefront in August 2014 – and bottles sold out eight months after hitting the shelves.

“There was a real interest and a real demand,” he said. “There are a lot of wine drinkers in West Seattle.”

Viscon hopes to continue to grow his brand – but to keep operations at a manageable size. “It’s all about keeping it local,” he said.

Leigh McMillan, who co-owns Welcome Road Winery with Kristen Dorrity, hopes to follow in Viscon’s footsteps.

“We’re looking for a space to open a tasting room in West Seattle,” she said. “We’re urban people, and we love the city. We love West Seattle – and we really want a bigger presence in our own backyard.”

Currently, the Welcome Road Winery offers tastings in Woodinville – but the wine is mainly made in West Seattle. A couple of times a year, McMillan will open up the neighborhood production facility – and invite wine enthusiasts in for a sample.

McMillan started making wine in 2011, after studying viticulture and enology at Washington State University.

“I was looking for something to do on the side,” she said. “I went through the program, and it just got out of control. We were making too much wine.”

Opening Welcome Road Winery allowed her to share the bounty.

“We really want our winery to be a part of the community,” McMillan said. “We don’t expect to be huge. Our dream is just making good wine.”

She hopes to see West Seattle become a wine destination. “The quality of the wine here is really exciting,” she said. “It’s good for city people. It’s really a different experience.”

West Seattle resident Michael Taylor also dreams of opening a winery in the neighborhood. “I want to stay local,” he said.

Taylor started Two Brothers Winery, named after his two sons Dominic and Nicholas, in 2009. He was inspired by his wife Maria’s Italian wine-making heritage – and learned the craft at South Seattle Community College.

Taylor began experimenting in his home garage in West Seattle – and has since expanded his commercial operations to a spot in Fremont.

He invites wine enthusiasts to sample the fruits of his labor at his tasting room, located at 3902 ½ California Ave., in the basement of Maria’s business, Belli Capelli Salon. The tasting room is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays or by appointment.

“I do this as a passion, not for the income,” Taylor said. “It’s a lot of fun for me.”

For more information about Two Brothers Winery, visit http://twobrotherswinery.com.
For more information about Welcome Road Winery, visit https://welcomeroadwinery.com.
For more information about Viscon Cellars, visit www.visconcellars.com.