Nestled in the sun-dappled hills just east of Stanwood, Washington, Bayernmoor Cellars sits on a south-facing slope with sweeping views of Mount Rainier. Owners Larry and Kim Harris turned their passion for wine into reality in 2011 when they planted their first Pinot Noir vines, creating Bayernmoor Vineyard in the Puget Sound AVA.

Today, the vineyard spans six acres of Pinot Noir—three acres planted to the early-ripening Précoce clone and three acres to clone 777—set at over 700 feet in elevation, above the marine fog layer typical of the coastline. The south-facing slope and sandy loam soil provide excellent drainage and sun exposure, while the location benefits from the diurnal temperature swings Pinot loves: warm days with gentle breezes and cool nights thanks to winds off the water.

Every detail of vineyard care is managed with sustainability in mind. Bayernmoor is Certified Sustainable WA and integrates Salmon-Safe practices, combining organic sprays like sulfur to combat powdery mildew with mechanical methods such as tractor-mounted blades for weed control. The vines are cane-pruned, trained vertically, and carefully hedged and de-leafed around grape clusters to maximize airflow and sun exposure. Harvests average two tons per acre, and all wine is produced on-site at the estate winery.

Recently, Winegrowers Membership Engagement Manager Julie Grenfell joined Bayernmoor CRU members for an estate tour led by Larry and Kim. Offered at least quarterly, these private tours give members a front-row view of the vineyard’s beauty through the changing seasons while showcasing the dedication and skill required to manage it. As Kim says, “We love what we do. And we want everyone to have an understanding and appreciation of the effort that goes into each glass of wine they enjoy.”

Bayernmoor Cellars was recognized by Great Northwest Wines as the 2024 Washington Winery of the Year and by Seattle/WA State Wine Awards as a 2023 Fabulous Four Washington Winery of the Year.