Our History

 

Spoiled Dog Winery was founded in 2003 by Jack and Karen Krug. While they might appear to be your conventional winery owners, there is nothing conventional about their approach to wine.

 

One doesn't think of Washington first or maybe even second when it comes to Pinot Noir. When they decided to move to Whidbey Island and start a winery in a beautiful farm setting, Karen's passion for Pinot Noir led her to conduct exhaustive research and identify a diverse set of clones that thrive in the maritime micro-climate of Whidbey Island and produce a distinctive complex yet balanced wine using sustainable growing methods.

 

Karen's love of wine began with pairing wine with food – all around the world.  Winemaking is her third career, following international lawyer and engineer (with lots of chemistry). It seems natural for the integration of art and science in wine making to be made up of both right and left brain training - adding in formal classes and hands on working with other winemakers to add depth and creativity.  Her adventurous spirit led her to initially focus on estate Pinot Noir grapes – not the typical white grapes grown on Whidbey Island and certainly a more challenging wine to make well. 

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Our Story

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Spoiled Dog Winery's second generation joined the family business when Jake and Lindsay moved to Whidbey Island from Colorado with their children in 2015. This has brought a new perspective to the winery along with both generations taking a lead role in winemaking, sales, vineyard care and tasting room management. Having two generations on the farm and in the winery has allowed us to share our family's passion of wine with more people than we ever imagined possible.  

 

The Krugs are known for looking beyond just making wines from grapes. Karen and Jack produced Pomo di Moro (apple of love), an apple pear wine made from the heritage fruit trees in the orchard on their 25-acre farm. In 2017 these fruit trees became the inspiration and source for the Krug's sister company Driftwood Hard Cider Co.

 

Our Vision

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If you love good wine, our grapes are sourced from some of the best vineyards in Washington and Oregon. Our wines are handcrafted at our winery with meticulous focus on balance. The Krug family wants visitors to feel like they've discovered a secret spot that will become a destination and a reason to regularly return to Whidbey Island for a visit.From the moment you enter the tasting room in the winery among the barrels of aging wine you realize you have discovered a special destination.

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The relationship between food and wine is something that transforms wine tasting at Spoiled Dog Winery into a culinary experience. Wine tastings include an offering of Pinot Noir with chocolate and a nibble of crackers with a savory cheese made using their wine.

 

If you love to cook, you'll find a hidden jewel waiting for you at Spoiled Dog Winery. They produce lavender infused Verjus from their estate Pinot Noir grapes. This special ingredient that gained popularity during the Renaissance will add a delightful flavor to your next salad dressing or sauce.

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If you love to eat, Spoiled Dog participates in several annual food and wine events and their special winemaker dinners hosted under the eaves of their apple trees overlooking the lower vineyard are not to be missed.

 

Whether you are a local or a visitor, Spoiled Dog Winery will become a regular destination to "wine down" and experience the joie de vivre of Whidbey Island.