OUR TEAM
The team at Anelare is united by a shared passion: showcasing Washington’s incredible terroir through our wines and creating an unforgettable experience for our guests. For us, it’s all about sharing what we love, fostering great relationships, and making memories together. Step into our winery—we want you to feel like family.
Proprietor
Kahryn grew up in the Tri Cities and has a passion for the great community in which she resides. Her education is in business and marketing from the University of Idaho, and her love for wine and the industry has helped develop Anelare. Along with the winery team, Kahryn runs the day to day business and enjoys the process from vineyard to bottle! She has two children (son Landon (20) and daughter Reese (19), who were just babies when this journey began. The family has planted their roots in Benton City to showcase their beautiful wines to the world, and give visitors a first class experience of Washington's wine industry. You may also spot their Labradoodle, Charlie on your visit to Benton City’s tasting room. Along with their three Nigerian goats: Pickles, Poppy, & Oliver.
A little from more from Kahryn:
"Family business runs deep. Starting at a young age, I was taught that hard work and patience can and will create great things… ok a lot of these two! I had the opportunity to work at my Grandfather and Father’s doctors' office for many years, filing, answering phones, and much more. I also was able to clean the shop for my uncles’ amazing business with my cousins as a kid. Stocked shelves and ran around my Grandmother’s local boutique, watching my aunts create and run the business. I’ve watched my Mother and her sisters create relationships that last a lifetime with their careers as hair stylists. I feel incredibly lucky and blessed to have such great examples in my life and carry on the legacy of small business. I hope to convey this passion to my children, wherever life may take them. Time flies, but I look back at the fun and amazing memories we have had at Anelare. Never take the support and love for granted.
We live in such a wonderful community where this is just the beginning for Washington wine. Will be exciting to see what continues to unfold for our industry. Cheers to the dream, hard work, creation; and to all of those that come into Anelare and enjoy the fruit of our efforts."
Winemaker
Charlie Hoppes, who is an acclaimed Columbia Valley vintner whose first crush here was in 1988. He was named Winemaker of the Year in 2013, by Seattle Magazine’s Washington Wine Awards. Charlie works in partnership with Washington’s finest growers to capture the distinct character of the vineyard and the purest expression of the fruit.
Charlie first became interested in winemaking while working as a flight test engineer in the early 1980’s. After spending some time with white riesling and home winemaking kits, Charlie pursued his passion at University of California, Davis, graduating in 1988.
Since graduation, Charlie has served as the winemaker for a few of Washington’s most recognizable labels. Perhaps most notably, he spent a decade with Chateau Ste. Michelle, first as Assistant Winemaker, then the Head Red Winemaker during the 1990’s. He then moved on in 2000 and created his own beautiful label and wines called Fidelitas. Charlie is notably hands on and works hard to artistically create and represent Washington’s finest wines.
