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Wine Release Alert: Come enjoy our new 2023 Rose of Cabernet Franc beginning Friday, July 5 in both our Woodinville and West Seattle tasting rooms!
Darby English
Owner - Head Vintner

I simply love making wine. I am fascinated by the differences of each harvest and strive to make sure we capture that vintage in each bottle. When I am not making wine, I am spending time with the family, fly fishing, foraging for wild mushrooms, riding motorcycles and anything else that gets me into the great outdoors. Thank you for all the support and enjoy the wines!

Favorite Vintage: 2012 Mourvèdre

Ben Almquist
Assistant Winemaker

With humble beginnings in wine retail, straight out of college, Benedict has surpassed his wildest dreams by joining Darby Winery as the assistant winemaker in early 2023. His winemaking passions focus on Rhône varieties, dry riesling, and pinot noir. Benedict enjoys traveling, exploring different cultures and their dishes, and spending time with his family.

Favorite Vintage: 2010 Boushey Marsanne

Teresa Jones
General Manager / Chief Wine Matchmaker & Host

Teresa's roots are in service and hospitality, although she may have taken a detour though finance and tech operations, she found her way back home: home to hosting and creating unforgettable experiences and life long memories, with this magic in a glass called wine as the backdrop of it all. She lives to find the wine that perfectly pairs with your palate, what's on your table, drinks well with your Spotify playlist, your party, and life's cherished everyday moments. She cannot wait to fill your glass and create memories at our crowded table.

Favorite Vintage: 2014 Grenache & Flipside GSM

Tyler Tucker
Team Lead, Woodinville

Tyler leads our Woodinville tasting room. After a 15-year career in the Seattle tech industry, he joined Darby to follow his decades-long passion for wine. When Tyler is not in the tasting room or sipping wine, you will find him with his wife and two kids enjoying the PNW outdoors or listening to music.

Favorite Vintage: 2021 Flipside GSM

Mandy Ogulnick
Team Lead, West Seattle

Mandy leads our West Seattle team and is a Chicago native turned PNW convert who brings a love of food, wine, hospitality and making our customers feel at home. Outside of Darby you can find her reading, exploring Seattle and being the fun aunt.

Favorite Vintage: 2021 Dark Side Syrah

Karin Bloomquist
Tasting Room Associate

Karin joined Darby in 2022 to follow a long time interest in working at a winery during a career break from corporate jobs. Outside of work, Karin enjoys spending time with her partner, family, and friends and can be found outdoors, traveling, seeking out good food (to pair wine with, of course), and listening to music.

Favorite Vintage: 2021 Red Mountain Merlot

Jeff Dotts
Tasting Room Associate

Jeff is a girl dad to twin 13 year olds, Lucy and Clare. He’s the undeserving partner to his wife, Erin. Jeff has traveled the world in an effort to find out what brings people joy.

Favorite Vintage: 2020 Stoney Vine Syrah

Don Botts
Tasting Room Associate

A retired Boeing engineer and avid wine enthusiast, Don joined the Darby Winery – Woodinville team, in March ‘22 to pursue a passion in Washington wines. He really enjoys meeting, educating and talking with customers about all aspects of wine and the great wines Darby features. We live in such a remarkable state for growing great fruit resulting in great wines. Come in to the Woodinville tasting room to meet me and taste outstanding quality Rhône and Bordeaux style wines!

Favorite Vintage: 2021 Dineen Vineyard Cabernet

Melissa Hendrick
Tasting Room Associate

Melissa found her home both in Seattle and at Darby Winery in 2022. She is an avid lover of beaches, cats, history, reading, tennis, trivia, and wine.

Favorite Vintage: 2011 Petite Sirah-Syrah

Jiliane Patriarca
Tasting Room Associate

Jiliane has worked in the wine industry since 2016. Her favorite Darby wine at the moment is the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, preferably paired with creamy Vermont white cheddar mac and cheese.

Favorite Vintage: 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

Kara Bruns
Tasting Room Associate

Kara loves to pour, drink, and learn about wine. She loves to travel, sipping on local wine along the way. When not drinking wine she can be found on the sidelines cheering her two daughters on, cuddling with her dog Charlie, or filling her husband in on her latest travel idea.

Favorite Vintage: 2020 Walla Walla Syrah

Jennifer Gaylord
Tasting Room Associate

Jennifer’s career is in education but she also has a long history in the service industry. Jennifer loves bold, complex red wines, so Darby is a perfect fit. When not working, Jennifer enjoys gardening, hiking, reading, music, and spending time with her family and two dogs.

Favorite Vintage: 2021 Flipside GSM

Sarah Swan
Tasting Room Associate

Sarah loves wine and travel. She is originally from New Jersey and a big Eagles fan, GO BIRDS. When she is not pouring wine, she is working as a school based occupational therapist. Being a member of the West Seattle community is a long time dream come true for Sarah.

Favorite Vintage: 2022 Grenache

Christine Allanson
Tasting Room Associate

Christine works at our Woodinville tasting room.

Favorite Vintage: 2021 Flipside GSM

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