Robert Karl
Spokane’s Winery
Robert Karl Cellars is a boutique Spokane, Washington winery producing handcrafted, premium, Cabernet Sauvignon, Claret, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and a dry Cabernet Franc Rosé.
The grapes are grown in the Horse Heaven Hills, an American Viticultural Area (AVA) of the Columbia Valley in Washington State by physician winemaker, Joseph Gunselman.
Wines
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A brief history of our Spokane Wines
We’ve been part of the Spokane Wine community since 1999. It’s fun looking back at the Robert Karl Cellars journey!
1996: While working on a marketing project for his MBA, Joe convinces Rebecca a winery is a great family business!
1997: Joe and Rebecca explore locations in eastern Washington to start a winery and do anesthesia. Spokane fits the bill. We picked the grapes ourselves down in Grandview and make it in our garage. “It was a good home wine,” Joe says in this Spokesman Review feature.
1998: The Gunselmans move to Spokane. Throughout the summer and fall they develop the business structure and name. Robert for Rebecca’s side of the family, Karl from Joe’s. While dining with Stan and Carole Clark, Joe and Rebecca meet Hugh and Kathy Shields of DuBrul Vineyard and they get their first commercial grape contract. While scouting the Columbia Valley for the perfect place to plant cabernet sauvignon grapes they meet Dick Beightol of Phinny Hill Vineyards. Joe makes his first batch of homemade wine. Begin purchasing crush equipment and convert an old fire station into a winery.
1999: The Gunselmans open Robert Karl Cellars in downtown Spokane in an historic fire station building on Pacific Ave. Five acres (4 of Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 of Cabernet Franc) grapes are planted on Phinny Hill Vineyard. Crushed 10 tons of grapes for the inaugural vintage of Robert Karl Cellars!
2000: The Robert Karl label and package is developed. Five acres of Cabernet Sauvignon planted on Gunselman Bench block on Phinny Hill. Three acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 acres of Malbec and 1 acre of Petit Verdot planted by Andrews and Rowell family on McKinley Springs Vineyard. Additional grape contacts secured. Crushed 25 tons for the 2nd vintage.
2001: Bottled 625 cases of Robert Karl 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon. With a desire to make a true Bordeaux blend, the Gunselmans secured contracts for Petit Verdot from Ceil de Cheval on Red Mountain, Malbec from Klingle in Yakima Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Pepper Bridge in Walla Walla, Sundance in Mattawa, DuBrul in Yakima Valley, and Merlot from DuBrul in Yakima Valley.
2004: The inaugural vintage Robert Karl Claret (2001) won Best Red and Best of Show at the Central Washington State Fair in Yakima. Robert Karl has been know for our Claret ever since.
2005: Wine & Spirits magazine names Robert Karl Cellars as the red discovery. Spokane starts to gain recognition for its winery scene. The Seattle Times does a write up on some of the original Spokane Wineries making their mark, which include Robert Karl.
2006: Wine & Spirits magazine includes Robert Karl Cellars in Top 100 Artisan Wineries.
2008: Wine & Spirits magazine profiles Robert Karl Cellars in the Best New American Wineries. Wine Enthusiast names Robert Karl 2005 Syrah #49 in Top 100. Seattle Times Pacific NW magazine includes Robert Karl 2005 Syrah in Top 50. Robert Karl receives more publicity locally, as well.
2012: Robert Karl is featured in the Spokesman Review. A lot has changed in the Spokane Wine scene in the almost 15 years we’ve been in business. It’s a joy to reflect back on the changes and how Spokane has officially become the gateway to Washington wine country.
2015: Spokane and surrounding areas boast 26 local wineries.
Year – We join the Cork District. A local winery association helping to promote Spokane Wines.
2016: Seattle Times Pacific NW magazine includes Robert Karl 2013 Phinny Cabernet Sauvignon in Top 50
2017: Our 2015 Malbec receives Double Platinum from WinePress NW Platinum Tasting and Gold Medal from Seattle Wine Awards.
2018: Seattle Times Pacific NW magazine includes Robert Karl 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon in Top 5
2021: Our winery production has grown to include seven to nine wines at any given time. During the course of 2020 our wines included a Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Claret, Inspirations (reserve blend), Cabernet Sauvignon, Gunselman Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Phinny Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
What’s in a name?
Although Joe is frequently called Joe Karl & Rebecca is called Roberta, Robert Karl is not either’s name. With a last name of “Gunselman”, they needed a name that was easier to say, spell, & remember.
They decided on Robert and Karl; two family names.
Robert is from Rebecca’s side of the family and
Karl is from Joe’s.