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Underwater Aging Process

The Secret of Sunken Cellars: Underwater Aging

What could be the benefits of underwater aging? The answer is quite simple; access to consistent temperatures, lack of oxygen, the slow cradle-like rocking of the sea, no sunlight, and the secret magic of mother nature. Making wine on land requires real estate, temperature regulation (heating and cooling), and the maintenance of a safe, wine-friendly environment. It may not be the best way, but it is the only way used by most if not all wineries in Washington and Oregon.  However, Patrick sees Puget Sound as a precious natural resource to protect, respect, and to collaborate with as a partner.  Underwater aging of our wine limits the environmental impacts compared to pure land-based winemaking, and limits our carbon footprint, reduces the use of energy resources, and most importantly, puts our wine to bed with the bounty of the sea to begin a relationship that ultimately results in a full-on love affair.

Devotion, Conservation, and Innovation are some of the words we use to describe what we do and how we do it at Sunken Cellars.