Nestled just off the harbor, Gig Harbor Wine Co. is more than a winery — it’s a celebration of community, creativity and history, all poured into a glass. Founded by Ben and Robin Egeland, the winery draws inspiration from the landscapes and people of Gig Harbor, weaving the region’s stories into every label and event. Step through the doors of their welcoming tasting room on Kimball Drive and you’ll discover a place where wine and art live side by side, where friends gather not only to sip but to share in the spirit of the town itself.
The tasting room has a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to linger, whether you’ve stopped in to cap an afternoon stroll by the water or are meeting friends for a casual evening. Local artwork fills the space, and the labels on the bottles carry forward that same creative spirit. Partnerships with artists extend to events like paint-and-sip nights and dot-painting sessions, blending wine with the joy of hands-on art. These gatherings are part of the winery’s identity, making it a cultural hub as much as a place to savor.
What sets Gig Harbor Wine Co. apart is the way its wines honor the town’s past. Every bottle tells a story.
The sauvignon blanc, named “The Holly King,” pays tribute to Philip H. Peyran, who in 1914 planted holly trees overlooking the harbor and went on to establish a thriving business known nationwide. More than a century later, holly trees still grow in Gig Harbor’s forests, and the wine named in Peyran’s honor captures a piece of that legacy with its bright, lively character.
Another wine, “Shenandoah” chardonnay, recalls Gig Harbor’s fishing history. Built in 1925 at the Skansie Shipyard, the purse seiner Shenandoah fished for seven decades before being restored and placed at the Harbor History Museum. To sip this chardonnay is to taste a connection to the salt air and hardworking families who shaped the town’s identity.
Visiting the tasting room means stepping into those stories while creating your own. Guests enjoy tastings enriched by history, while the winery’s calendar offers experiences that go far beyond the glass.
Paint-and-sip evenings spark creativity, while club events can be unforgettable — like a recent gathering at the Vintage Aero Museum, where members enjoyed wine surrounded by classic planes and automobiles. The winery’s imaginative approach to events ensures that each visit feels special.
The holiday season makes the winery even more inviting. In December, Gig Harbor Wine Co. participates in the Gig Harbor Fish Food Bank Toy Drive, collecting gifts for children in need. Visitors can also support Northwest Wag Rescue by choosing ornaments from the giving tree, knowing they’re sharing their holiday joy with rescue dogs awaiting homes. Families are encouraged to write letters to Santa, which the winery delivers to the North Pole, with each child receiving a handwritten reply. These traditions make the tasting room not only festive but deeply connected to the community.
Wine lovers also have new reasons to plan a visit this winter. Gig Harbor Wine Co. is preparing to release three new offerings: the “Sturdy Gertie” cabernet, a reserve “Silver Glide” syrah and potentially a red blend. These bold wines will join the lineup, promising to satisfy those who enjoy rich, layered reds. They also continue the tradition of tying the wines to local stories, adding fresh chapters to the narrative the winery is building.
To spend time at Gig Harbor Wine Co. is to experience Gig Harbor itself. It’s a chance to taste history in a glass, support local artists and patriciate in traditions that celebrate community. So, mark your calendar, plan a visit and raise a glass to the people and stories that make this corner of the Pacific Northwest one of a kind.
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