Bunnell Family Cellar

About Bunnell Family Cellar

Three generations share life at RiverAerie, our herb farm on the Yakima River. Our small family wine cellar is buried in the hillside adjacent to our first lavender plot. The underground barrel chai provides the constant temperature necessary to age our fine handmade wines. Winemaker Ron Bunnell specializes in vineyard designated Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, and Rhone style blends. We produce two distinct lines of wines. "Vins de l'endroit" or "wines of a place" are wines from superior sites including the Horse Heaven Hills appellation, Boushey-McPherson Vineyard, Milbrandt-Clifton Hill Vineyard, and Stonetree Vineyard. Our second line we call "vins de l'esprit". These wines of the imagination or creative spirit allow our winemaker free reign to explore artistic expression through blending. "Vins de l'esprit" are proprietary blends of classic vinifera grape varieties but not necessarily traditional blends. Fine food, horticulture and visual arts are family passions. Paula Mauldin, our resident artist and grandmother, creates the drawings which enliven our wine labels. Susan Bunnell is the proprietor of Lavenderthyme, the herb farm at RiverAerie. Susan is always happy to share her knowledge of herb cultivation and herbs' myriad uses. The mid-summer lavender harvest is a spectacular sensory experience.

Bunnell Family Cellar Snapshot