In the latest GuildSomm podcast, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe speaks with Seth Kitzke of Upsidedown Wine about all things Grenache. Seth and his family farm vineyards in Washington's Candy Mountain AVA, among other areas, and focus on Rhône varieties. Chris chats with Seth about Grenache's virtues, challenges, and future in Washington State and beyond.
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Seth Kitzke was born in Richland, Washington, and grew up surrounded by 150 acres of cherries, apples, and wine grapes in the Yakima Valley. From the age of 12, he worked in the vineyards on Candy Mountain in Richland. Seth attended Central Washington University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Tourism and met his wife, Audrey.
In 2013, he enrolled at the Northwest Wine Academy in Seattle to study enology. After completing the program, he worked for a variety of wineries around the Pacific Northwest before moving back to Richland. In 2016, Seth took over farming and winemaking for Kitzke Family Vineyards and Upsidedown.
In his free time, you’ll find him golfing, skateboarding or snowboarding, and playing with his daughter, Sage, and son, Miles.
Follow Seth on Instagram.
Domaine La Barroche (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)Château de La Font du Loup (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)Comando G (Sierra de Gredos)Daniel Gómez Jiménez-Landi (Sierra de Gredos)Château Rayas (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône)Tablas Creek Vineyard (Paso Robles)Reynvaan Family Vineyards (Walla Walla Valley)WeatherEye Vineyards (Red Mountain) Two Vintners (Washington State)