Where new‑world wines meet old‑world history—and where every pour brings people closer.
Who we are…
Some friendships begin at a dinner table. Ours began online.
For nearly fifteen years, co‑founders Richard Furgeson and Thomas Gonzenbach were friends long before they were business partners—connected first through online gaming, late‑night conversations, shared curiosity, and a mutual obsession with learning. When they finally met in person over a glass of wine in Napa Valley, the idea that had quietly followed them for years finally found its moment: to create a Washington wine label rooted in Old World elegance, made with intention, and meant to be shared.
Richard and Thomas’ paths to wine were different but deeply complementary. One came to wine through travel—discovering Old World bottles while living abroad and developing a lifelong fascination with how place shapes flavor. The other came through restaurants and cellars—studying wine formally, working harvests, and learning firsthand that great winemaking is equal parts chemistry, farming, instinct, and art. What unites them is a belief that wine should invite people in, not shut them out. It should reward curiosity without requiring credentials. It should feel thoughtful and refined, but never performative.
Kinship Cellars was born from a simple belief: great wine brings people together. Our name reflects what we value most—connection, curiosity, and the shared experience of discovering something remarkable in every glass.
Signature Style
Old World Inspiration. Washington Terroir.
We are inspired by the restraint and precision of Europe’s great wine regions—Burgundy, Bordeaux, Barolo—where structure, acidity, and balance matter more than excess. At the same time, we believe Washington State is one of the most exciting and underestimated wine regions in the world. Our wines are intentionally crafted to sit at the intersection of these philosophies: Old World style expressed through New World terroir. That means earlier picking, less new oak, vibrant acidity, and wines that evolve in the glass. Our Chardonnay is not buttery or heavy. Our Pinot Noir is elegant, structured, and expressive rather than bold for the sake of impact. This is not wine made to chase trends or points. It’s wine made to reflect place, season, and intention.
Luxury, Redefined
We believe luxury is not about price—it’s about care. Small production. Thoughtful sourcing. Decisions guided by what the wine wants to become, not what sells fastest. We aim to create wines that feel quietly confident: bottles that hold their own on a fine restaurant list but are just as at home at a shared table among friends. Our goal is to show what Washington can do when craftsmanship comes first.
At its heart, wine is communal. It brings people together, starts conversations, and creates memories. Whether you’re deeply wine-educated or just beginning to explore beyond familiar labels, our hope is that our wines make you feel welcome, curious, and confident in your own palate. Washington deserves a seat on the world stage—not through mass production, but through focused, intentional wines that speak clearly of where they come from. We’re proud to be part of that story. This is just the beginning, and we’re glad you’re here with us.
What Sets Us Apart
We don’t aim to replicate old‑world wines. Instead, we honor their philosophy. We craft new‑world expressions with an old‑world soul: thoughtful, balanced, and made with intention.
Old-World Inspiration
Curiosity
Winemaking is both craft and conversation. Each bottle invites you to explore, ask questions, and build your own relationship with wine.
Rooted in Washington State, our wines are shaped by the landscapes, growers, and microclimates that make this region one of the most exciting and underrated in the world.
Kinship
Our name reflects what we value most—connection, curiosity, and the shared experience of discovering something remarkable in every glass.
Washington Terroir
Tasting Notes
The 2025 Kinship Cellars Chardonnay opens with a bright golden‑apple and Bosc‑pear bouquet, offering both freshness and a touch of orchard‑fruit richness. On the palate, a distinctive lemon‑lime cheesecake note brings creamy citrus depth, lifted by tropical fruit accents that add vibrancy and warmth.
A subtle slate‑driven finish introduces minerality and precision, giving the wine a clean, refreshing close. Medium‑plus acidity keeps the profile lively and energetic, while the medium‑minus body maintains an elegant, drinkable balance.
Tasting Notes
The 2025 Kinship Cellars Pinot Noir opens with a lifted red‑berry and rose bouquet, setting the tone for a bright, expressive profile. On the palate, the wine delivers a playful red Jolly‑Rancher character that quickly deepens into a subtle herbal finish, adding nuance and complexity.
Its robust structure supports a medium‑minus body, allowing the fruit to stay front‑and‑center while still offering shape and presence. Medium‑plus acidity brings vibrancy and length, and medium tannin provides gentle grip without overshadowing the wine’s elegance.
Shop Our Wines
Explore the full Kinship Cellars wine collection. Handcrafted Washington wines rooted in old‑world craft and made for gathering, sharing, and savoring.