Like most great things, our winery got started after a night of big talk over a few beers. Starting a winery was a natural progression for owner/winemaker Jerry Riener - but if you would have asked him about it back in 2003, he would have probably laughed hysterically at the idea. After volunteering at Matthews Cellars for two years then helping start Mark Ryan Winery, Jerry knew exactly what it took to start your own winery. The cost, the risks and the time were incredibly daunting - especially for a guy who already had a full-time job as a cop. But, fortunately, for all of us, Jerry is one of those guys who loves a challenge.

When we finally opened our tasting room doors in the fall of 2007 it was one heck of a crazy party. It seemed like everyone in town showed up to congratulate Jerry, who, after nearly a decade of grunt work at some of Woodinville’s finest wineries, had opened his own place. From that first release day - when we poured and sold out of our 2003 Cabernet, 2004 Gun Metal and 2004 Syrah - it was obvious the risks were worth it.

While our production has grown, from three wines and about 300 cases to nine wines and nearly 5,000 cases for harvest 2012, the party has kept going. We’re still producing the juice in the same Woodinville industrial complex, Jerry is still working as a police officer and he is still an army of one when it comes to making all of the wines. The secret? Lots of caffeine and a supportive wife, who on top of her full-time job as a newspaper reporter, runs the tasting room.

As you could probably guess, we're incredibly devoted to our winery. We love showing guests around the place and sharing story after story about, wine, grapes, barrels, crime, food, fashion… you name it. Please check us out on Facebook, Twitter or our blog.

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area you would think wine would be coursing through Jerry's blood. But, no, a love of agricultural equipment, crops and the smell of diesel fuel has been his obsession since he was a kid. Jerry comes from a family with deep farming ties in Kansas and Nebraska and he spent the bulk of his summer vacations driving combines and, tractors during harvest. A chance police ride-along convinced this East Bay kid to trade in his University of Washington chemistry degree and medical school dreams for a slot at the police academy.

It was pure curiosity that drove Jerry onto the gravel driveway at Matthews Cellars in the late 1990s. The place consisted of a strange building, lots of stainless steel and all those French oak barrels.. Jerry had to know what was going on. The volunteer crew at Matthews was bottling wine the first day Jerry showed up, so he hopped in to help. The 23-year-old detective had such a good time that the next time he saw a few cars there he stopped. It was harvest and Jerry, again, jumped in to help. Frustration, exhaustion, purple-stained hands, swarms of fruit flies and the really cool winemaking equipment proved too much for Jerry to handle... he was in love. He was soon volunteering 40-hours a week, basically whenever he wasn’t working at the police department.

While working for winemaker Matthew Loso, at Matthews, Jerry became fast friends with a guy named Mark Ryan McNeilly, who was working as the distributor of Matthews wines. Mark was starting his own winery in Woodinville and Jerry left one volunteer job for another. Jerry worked alongside Mark until 2007, in return Mark worked with Jerry at Guardian Cellars from 2003 until 2007. The two shared warehouse space, equipment and a lasting friendship.

Since those first few vintages, Jerry has added a slew of new wines, developed relationships with the finest vineyards in the state and continued his love of ageing his wines on almost 100% new French oak. Always the wise guy, the taunt that Jerry offered his winemaker pals when he opened - that all of the premium reds will bottle age at least a year bottling before they are released - has become our standard. While all the shiny equipment, beautiful barrels and elaborate winemaking terminology is part of a day's work, Jerry has kept his focus on having fun while making consistently delicious and approachable wines.

Who knew that a long evening talking about winery dreams, family and crime scenes would result in love, marriage and owning a winery?

When Jennifer met Jerry, she was getting to know the ropes as a new reporter at The Seattle Times. Jennifer was fresh from working at newspapers in Baltimore and South Florida, home at last to work in her dream job - as a crime reporter at her hometown paper. A few discussions, over many months, finally resulted in a date where Jennifer knew she met her match - a guy who loved family, 90s hip-hop music and wine.

Since the Guardian Cellars tasting room opened in 2007, Jennifer has made the tasting room, release parties/events and winery social media her focus. Fun music, delicious food and a team of wild volunteers are always in style in the rock-inspired winery/tasting room. When not out helping The Times win another Pulitzer Prize, Jennifer can be found in the tasting room on Saturdays and Sundays.