While working in Copenhagen from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, Charles saw a poster in a brewery and fell in love with it.
Later, inspired by the poster, Charles created a wine called "The Creator."
This wine has a unique bottle shape and has a passionate following, as many people believe that the face on the label is Charles' face.
Charles is an ambitious innovator with a rock and roll attitude.
Vineyard: Powerline Vineyard - a 12ha estate located at an altitude of 360m at the foot of the Blue Mountains, south of the town of Walla Walla.
It was planted in 2012.
The well-drained soil of round stones covering a subsoil of sand and gravel allows the plant to develop deep, firm roots.
The boulders were carried by rivers from the ancient Blue Mountains and deposited in the riverbeds.
The deep sandy and silty soils beneath the boulders give the grapes purity, while the high altitude helps retain acidity and reduce alcohol, giving the wines wonderful balanced complexity.
The 2019 vintage started slowly with later than average budbreak and fairly mild conditions throughout the year, making it a cooler year.
While some fields had freeze issues in October, a little earlier than normal, our high altitude fields have excellent air movement, which allowed us to extend the growing season into late October without any freezes.
The result is fantastic ripeness, resulting in beautiful wines with incredible balance and character.
Overall, the 2019 wines, regardless of varietal, are beautifully balanced, with exceptional flavor and balance.
100% whole grain fermentation with wild yeasts (Cabernet Sauvignon), 100% whole bunch fermentation (Syrah), 53 days skin contact.
Aged sur lie in French oak barrels (65% new) for 28 months.
Charles Smith’s arrival on the world wine stage has been nothing short of amazing.
Owner/winemaker Charles Smith managed rock and roll bands in Europe for 11 years before moving to Walla Walla and starting K Vintners with a shoestring budget.
Charles' wines exude the excitement of his rock and roll roots, but honest quality and values are the foundation of his winemaking.
Charles produces several brands under different labels: Charles Smith Wines, most of which are made to be drunk the same day they are purchased, and they combine easy drinking, affordable and high quality.
Charles also produces some of America's most fascinating and highly acclaimed Syrah under his original K Vintners label.
K Vintners' wines are made in extremely small quantities to appeal to discerning connoisseurs.
Over the past decade, Charles Smith Wines and K Vintners wines have received 66 scores of 95 or above and more than 300 scores of 90 or above from America's leading wineries, Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast.