Michael Rasch of Golden Ridge Cellars
Michael Rasch first caught the wine bug in the 1970s while managing a liquor store in Colorado. While many of us in the 70s were drinking Lancers, Mateus and Blue Nun, Michael’s job had him sampling first growths from Bordeaux. He later explored wine regions in California, and eventually settled in Seattle working as a lawyer. People told him about the wines of Walla Walla, many of which he could purchase from his local wine shops. He was amazed by the quality, and the good value compared to wines from California. He and his wife Cindy began taking trips to Walla Walla, and dreaming about living there. That dream came true in 2007 when Cindy got a job in Walla Walla. The house they purchased came with a vineyard planted in 1998 that was designed by Paul Champoux. That was the beginning of a new career for Michael as a vigneron, growing his own grapes and making wines.
Michael made his early wines in his home, moving to the incubator facility in 2018. Golden Ridge Cellars takes its name from the ridge on which the couple lives, the golden wheat fields that still dominate the surrounding area, and the Golden Retriever greeters at the tasting room. It’s thus no surprise that the winery logo is a Golden Retriever head framed by wheat stems. Michael is known for his Bordeaux style red wines, especially his estate red. It’s typically a right bank Bordeaux style wine, meaning one dominated by Merlot. This style is a reflection of his vineyard, which is planted primarily to Merlot. He also grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec, and plans to plant some Touriga Nacional which is now allowed for limited use in Bordeaux wines.
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