David Lake (winemaker)
David Lake | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1943 England |
| Died | Error: Need valid birth date (second date): year, month, day Issaquah, Washington, United States |
| Occupation | Winemaker |
| Known for | First American Master of Wine; pioneering Washington single vineyard wines; introducing Syrah to Washington |
David Lake (1943 – October 5, 2009) was a distinguished Washington wine producer and holder of the Master of Wine title. Originally born in England to Canadian parents, Lake began his career in the wine sector working for a British wine wholesaler. He obtained his Master of Wine qualification in 1975 before relocating to the United States to pursue enology studies at the University of California-Davis. In 1978, he became part of Washington’s Associated Vintners (which later became Columbia Winery), where he rapidly advanced to chief winemaker. Lake played a key role in introducing Washington’s inaugural single vineyard designated wines and was responsible for crafting the state’s earliest examples of Cabernet franc, Syrah, and Pinot gris wines. He also held the distinction of being the first American winemaker to earn the Master of Wine credential.
Career
Following his attainment of the Master of Wine in 1975, David Lake moved westward to the U.S. to deepen his knowledge of enology at UC Davis. He gained experience working briefly in Oregon’s Dundee Hills AVA with Eyrie Vineyards under David Lett, as well as at Bethel Heights Vineyard and Amity Vineyards located in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Subsequently, he joined Associated Vintners, based in Woodinville, which would soon be renamed Columbia Winery.
During the early 1980s, Lake was a trailblazer for vineyard-designated wines in Washington by releasing Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Yakima Valley’s Otis, Red Willow, and Sagemoor vineyards. Working alongside Mike Sauer of Red Willow Vineyard, he introduced Syrah to Washington by bringing cuttings from La Chapelle vineyard in France’s Rhône region, resulting in the state’s first Syrah vintage in 1988. By 2009, Syrah had become the third most widely planted red grape variety in Washington.
Lake was also a strong advocate for cultivating Merlot, Viognier, Pinot gris, and Cabernet franc within Washington State. He notably pioneered a blend combining Merlot and Cabernet Franc inspired by Bordeaux’s Right Bank style. His approach to winemaking favored a European influence characterized by restrained oak usage and balanced alcohol content.
Illness and death
After completing the 2005 vintage, David Lake encountered health challenges including back issues that necessitated surgery, prompting his retirement from Columbia Winery. He later faced serious illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. On October 5, 2009, he suffered a collapse at his residence in Issaquah, Washington, and passed away several hours afterward.