"The Other Side of the Coin" by Living Well

The Other Side of the Coin

Blog: Living Well

July 19, 2010

How many people do you know who have a talent or skill which remains largely unseen by others who know them? Often, rather than being family friends, these are acquaintances whose talents we haven't yet come to know,

One we know lives very close by. Ed and Pat Rutledge moved nearby about a year after we moved here. Our first intimation that he was skilled was when he nearly single-handedly built his home, using minimal power tools and equipment. And it's a fine house.

Next he planted some grapes on his land, dug a hole, constructed a small building, and became a winemaker, with a tasting room on the premises.

Then a building went up on top of the winery near the vineyard, creating a cottage in which his wife and a friend created a delightfully charming bed and breakfast. A large sign on the property proclaims "Eagle Creek Winery and Cottage."

Meanwhile, our neighbor was busily displaying his talents in the winery by painting faux images on the concrete walls, the doors - everywhere he could touch with a paint brush. Not satisfied with merely painting, he carved beams and barrel ends, posts and bar fronts. Visitors can not only tour the building and see the beautiful art inside, but can also - in season, of course - stroll down the shaded path, sit and taste or picnic, or sit under the arbor - all created by Ed and family.

More photos of the art and carvings are on their website. While visitors to the tasting rooms have seen Ed's art, they don't always realize that the talents of this winemaker have extended beyond winemaking into the creating of this wine experience.

When the Wine Experience was open in Apple Annie's in Cashmere, visitors could view the impressive carved bar front in the room. Right now, visitors to downtown Leavenworth can walk into D'Vinery, the other Eagle Creek Winery tasting room, and see more wood carving while tasting the excellent wines produced by Ed Rutledge (with assistance by several family members) at the Eagle Creek Winery 2 1/2 miles up on Eagle Creek Road.

For another treat, you might want to spend some nights in the B and B cottage above the winery. It comes complete with a bottle of wine!

What other side of Ed is there to discover? We'll wait and see.

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alex39 2 years, 10 months ago

The Other Side of the Coin

Eagle Creek Winery's Bacchus Vineyards cab is yet another example of Ed's talent.

steigmeyer 2 years, 10 months ago

The Other Side of the Coin

Thanks, Joanne. I didn't realize Ed did all the artwork, carving and carpentery himself. That's worth a story for sure.

joanne 2 years, 9 months ago

The Other Side of the Coin

You'll find that many winemakers have another life. Few began their careers in the wine industry; you'll find engineers, chiropractors, carpenters, sound engineers, artists, farmers, business people, housewives, musicians, hi tech personnel, professors and teachers. I love to hear their stories.

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