History

The Roberts family purchased this property on February 18, 2007.

When purchased, the land was impenetrable and covered with Himalayan blackberry, alder, and Scotch broom. Two full-sized bulldozers were discovered hidden by the noxious weeds.

WSU Extension Agent Don Tapio said,

“Plant a vineyard and open a winery. It will be historic.”

Vineyards By-the-Sea is the westernmost vineyard in Washington with rainfall and sun levels similar to France’s Loire Valley. The winery’s first bottling was on February 17, 2008 the tasting room opened on March 29, 2008. Westport Winery was named 2011 Washington Winery to Watch and 2010 Best NW Destination

Salmon Safe

Vineyards By-the-Sea was certified Salmon Safe in May 2008. This certification required habitat enhancement, use of sustainable farm practices, planting cover crops, creating good water quality leaving the property, and maintaining a riparian buffer. The 26.5 acre farm is fenced with high-tensile electric wire to keep deer and elk away from the crops.

Grapes

The ten acre vineyard grows Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Muscat , Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Melon. The farm uses Vertical Shoot Position trellising.

Other Crops

The remaining acreage is dedicated to 5000 irises, 2000 blueberries, 1000 raspberries, 1000 blackberries, 250 huckleberries, 100 apple trees, 100 Asian pear trees, hundreds of strawberries, a multitude of other fruit trees including peach, plum, and cherry, two produce gardens, and a culinary herb garden on the property. These crops contribute to the wine, culinary classes, restaurant and farm stand.

Critters

In the past the Roberts raised Norwegian Fjord horses. These days they have a flock of chickens.

Lady Lukara (a Klingon character tasked with keeping Khaless the Unforgettable’s memory alive) is featured in Winery Dogs of Washington. She shares the farm with a younger cousin, Curzon Dax. Beloved dogs now gone, Koko, Khaless, and Dax grace wine labels.

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pappy, Sawyer, and Panda (cats adopted from HAVA) are charged with rodent control.

Buildings

The tasting room was constructed in 2007 for selling agricultural products to the farm’s visitors. In 2010 the restaurant From Farm to Fork was added to this building.

The matching production building is where the grapes are crushed and pressed, juices fermented, blended and tested.

It houses the variable capacity stainless steel tanks, oak barrels, grape bins, poly tanks, chillers, pumps and filters.

Next to the production building is warehouse which was built in 2009. It houses bottled wine, bottling supplies, tools and farm equipment.

This is where each year’s wine is bottled in the spring with a mobile bottling truck. Some wine is still hand bottled.

The buildings feature US Coast District 13 colors and were designed to reflect the architecture of Westport’s old Coast Guard Station and Maritime Museum.

Gardens

The crop display garden features samples of all the products grown on the farm. It is where grape viness and other plants are sold.

The produce gardens, greenhouse and gathering room are where the winery’s chefs gather fresh produce and herbs.

The unique grape maze is located between the display garden and the pergola. The dune garden surrounds the parking area, setting the stage for this coastal winery.

The sculpture garden extends around the parking area and other gardens. Local artists are commissioned to create sculptures commemorating one of Westport’s labels.

Harvest Festivals

Westport Winery hosts its Markham Mardi Gras and Garlic Festival the last weekend in January and the first weekend in February.

The Roll Out The Barrel Anniversary and Spring Barrel Tasting is the last weekend in March.

Rockin' the Coast Festival with retro rock music and beachcombing display is the first two weekends of May.

The Fleur de Lis Festival is held in mid-June with art, music and cheese tasting.

In August the winery hosts the Aloha Festival with all things Hawaiian from hula to pineapple wine.

Crush Me, Squeeze Me, Make Me Wine At The Beach the first weekend in October with grape stomping and the Lucy and Ethyl Look-alike contest.

In December we prepare for the holidays with the Cramberry Country Festival.

Habitat Enhancement

With approval from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife trout are permitted in the farm’s spring-fed pond. The farm has Kestrel nesting boxes to assist with rodent and starling control.