Small Batches, Big Community: The Wolfpack Cellars Story
It’s Pride month and we’ve had a lively convo with James Bivans and Matthew Sprenke, the founders and winemakers behind Wolfpack Cellars, two friends who turned a shared love of food & wine, dogs and the LGBTQ community into something much bigger.
James, a trained chef, dove in first and began working at a local winery where he quickly made his way up to assistant winemaker. At the same time, Matt immersed himself in the craft from another angle, studying winemaking, working in a tasting room, and learning the business side of the industry.
“When people ask how we got started, it really goes back to a trip to Walla Walla in the spring of 2019, that’s when it clicked, this wasn’t just a hobby anymore. It was something we wanted to build our lives around.”
And just like that, in the fall of 2019 the duo made their first vintage, just two barrels, (about 50 cases) in their 550-square-foot garage.
Since then, Wolfpack Cellars has grown eightfold, now producing around 480 cases annually, all from that same garage! In June 2025, they took another big step, opening a tasting room in the heart of eclectic White Center, just south of Seattle.
Connecting with the Community
Wolfpack Cellars is more than just a winery; it’s the realization of a dream shared by a family of choice and a house full of dogs. At the heart of it all is something simple, and deeply felt:
“We want people to walk away knowing that Wolfpack Cellars is a home, a place built on love for wine, food, and connection, a space where people can gather, feel a sense of belonging, and be part of something bigger. That’s our pack.”
Wolfpack is an openly LGBTQ-owned business embedded in a neighborhood that has become a hub for queer-owned venues and events. They foster this connection by creating a space where queer guests, allies, and their families, including kids and dogs, feel genuinely welcome while actively participating in the broader White Center scene that celebrates LGBTQ+ visibility and pride.
Community is just as central to Wolfpack Cellars as the wine itself. James and Matthew engage with their White Center neighbors by participating in local events including the monthly Rat City Art Walk and various street fairs. It was imperative for them to open the tasting room in not only their neighborhood but in an inclusive, unique and lively community.
An Intentional Approach to Unexpected Flavors
Wolfpack Cellars is dedicated to producing small-batch Washington wines that truly reflect the unique terroir and varietal characteristics of the states best AVAs. James and Matthew believe that producing small batches creates wine that lets the quality of the grapes shine through in their natural form, resulting in a high-quality boutique experience. The success they’ve had with traditional Washington varietals such as Cab, Syrah, and Chardonnay has garnered them a loyal and growing wine club as well as tasting room regulars.
Moving forward they are changing things up a bit and are especially energized about exploring Italian varietals, something they see as both exciting and timely.
“Our customers are looking for wines that are a little unexpected for Washington, our Sangiovese and Super Tuscans have been incredibly well received, and we’re just getting started.” They light up when talking about what’s ahead: “We’re releasing a beautifully nuanced Nebbiolo in the spring of 2026, and we recently tasted a young Nero d’Avola from last fall that completely blew us away.”
What’s Next – Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, growth is part of the vision, but not at the expense of what makes them special. “Our next milestone is finding a larger production space so we can grow more comfortably. Many of our amazing members have visited our current setup behind our home, so they know just how tight it is!” Stay tuned for what’s to come. You can find Wolfpack wines at WeRise and at their tasting room in White Center. Don’t miss the special WeRise x Wolfpack Tasting on June 11th!
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