The Story of Novelty Hill-Januik Winery and Washington Wine

It Began in the Vineyard

The Columbia Valley was established as an American Viticultural Area in 1984, marking an important step in the region’s evolution. In the years that followed, Washington wine entered a period of rapid growth. At the center of that movement was Mike Januik, whose early winemaking throughout the 1980s and his work as head winemaker at Chateau Ste Michelle throughout the 1990s helped to shape the modern style of Washington wine — structured, expressive, and age-worthy.

A Partnership That Helped Shape Modern Washington Wine in the Columbia Valley

In 1999, Mike left Chateau Ste. Michelle to start his own venture — Januik Winery. Around the same time, Tom Alberg was exploring whether family land in the Frenchman Hills could become something more. Tom asked Mike to evaluate the site’s potential, which he quickly recognized as a highly promising area for planting a diverse selection of clones. From this introduction, Stillwater Creek Vineyard, Novelty Hill Winery, and the relationship between the Alberg and Januik families were born. It was a natural relationship, with the shared appreciation for top-quality, sustainable farming, and the philosophy that wine is best expressed through delicious meals and outstanding communities.

Blazing a Trail

Just prior to Stillwater Creek’s planting, Mike and Carolyn Januik had undertaken a venture of their own, establishing Januik Winery in 1999. It was the realization of a dream that took hold in 1980 when the couple sold their Ashland, Oregon wine shop for Mike to study winemaking at UC Davis.

Mike Januik and the Rise of Washington Wine

After graduation, the Januiks moved to Washington to be closer to family. California friends thought it was a risky move. Washington wines were largely unknown. But over the ensuing decades, Mike proved them wrong. He crushed his first grapes in Washington in 1984 and quickly developed a reputation for quality winemaking just as the state’s reputation for world-class wines began to take hold.

A Woodinville Winery Rooted in Family & Craft

After crushing his first three vintages in Walla Walla, Mike moved winemaking operations to Woodinville’s warehouse district in 2002 before putting down roots in 2007 at the stylish, modern winery Novelty Hill and Januik share today.

A Multi-Generational Winemaking Family

From the start, it has been a family-run operation. In the fall of 2009, Andrew Januik joined his dad in the cellar full-time. Today, he collaborates with Mike and winemaker Scott Moeller on all aspects of production in addition to crafting his own label, Andrew Januik Wines, launched in 2011.