TruthTeller Winery
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
LOCATION : Woodin Creek District
HOURS (as of Feb 2023): Thurs-Fri 1-7pm, Sat 12-7pm, Sun 12-5pm, closed M-W
TASTING FEE (as of Feb 2023): $15 (mixed flight)
We’re back in Winey Alley again, folks, and you may as well get comfortable; I’ve had the pleasure of exploring more and more of its offerings and there will be more blog posts coming from this cute little nook of Woodinville Wine Counry.
Today I’d like to take you to the far end of Wine Alley, to a tasting room that takes fun seriously; TruthTeller, established in 2014. Previously in the Warehouse District, TruthTeller (and many others) took the plunge to move to Woodin Creek presumably in the hope that the increased accessibility and proximity to housing would generate a bit more foot traffic. The new Wine Alley tasting room is modern and quirky, with bight block colors in contrast with its slate-grey walls. In fact, TruthTeller seems to delight in turning things on their heads and putting like with unlike, a sensibility that permeates their wines from cork to punt.
The history of the brand’s name is comically simple - the story goes that the founding Loeliger family was told by an acquaintance that their last name meant “village idiot” (it’s unclear in what language) and after some research determined that a more accurate translation would be “jester” or “fool,” such as the type you might find in a royal court. In addition to providing entertainment, the role of a courtly fool was to speak truth to power— the thought being that one so low could not possibly offend the ruler by telling them what needed to be said (albeit in a jesting and indirect fashion). Thus was born the TruthTeller brand, which lives and breathes its “fool”ish identity through tricky bottle names and blends that delight the senses.
The $15 tasting includes five pours in the “dealer’s choice” model so popular in Woodin Creek— meaning that guests pick their pours one by one from a long list. In addition to the primary TruthTeller brand, the Miscreant Project sub-label is also available for tasting (and offers some serious value for money). White drinkers may dismay as the only offerings currently available in that category are two rosés (Quip and Taunt— love those names!), but red drinkers will have more than enough to choose from. For my tasting I alternated between the TruthTeller and Miscreant Project brands, and enjoyed comparing and contrasting. Bordeaux varietals dominate, with exceptions; of particular interest are a varietally bottled Cabernet Franc, a rosé of Mourvèdre and most notably a 100% Petit Verdot that will definitely make you pucker.
Bottles range in price from $22-65 for the TruthTeller brand and $20-24 for the Miscreant Project (which I have to reiterate has some really stunning offerings for the price). Food is not available at the Woodin Creek tasting room, but there are plenty of heavy and light food offerings nearby. The highlight of your visit will be the entertaining bottle names; in addition to those above, look for the Pun and Pun Intended Bordeaux-style blends, the Clever Fool Cabernet Franc (see what they did there?) and the Jester’s Stage Cabernet Sauvignon.
Reservations are accepted but not required and the tasting room allows minors inside, but not dogs (though there is a small patio area open in warmer weather). If you’d like to visit this glib and sassy winery, let us know in your pre-tour survey and we will make sure not to miss it.
Salut, and enjoy Woodinville!
