Latest dispatches

Velen Winery

John and Rebecca Otis of Velen Winery 2025 Zillah Winery of the Year When Rebecca went wine tasting with friends in Texas, she never expected to meet her future husband.  John Otis was the owner and winemaker at CrossRoads Winery, and he fell in love at first sight when he saw Rebecca.  The two married in 2011, and started building their dream home in a Texas suburb not far from the winery.  But a trip to the Pacific Northwest resulted in new dreams.  They fell in love with the Zillah area, and with the idea of making wine in Washington.  The property they purchased had a house in need of renovation and enough land for a vineyard.  They moved in 2015, and started planting 3 clones of Cabernet Sauvignon the following year.  A winery and tasting room came a couple years later, as did more grape varieties.  In 2019, Velen Winery opened its doors to the public.  Velen Winery is located in the Rattlesnake Hills AVA area of the Yakima Valley.&nbsp