Tough Guy: Wine With A Cause
At EFESTĒ, all of our wines are named for family members and stories that embody our history, traditions, and philosophy. Nowhere is this more true than with our Tough Guy red wine. Named after Kevin and Angela’s youngest son, Joe, Tough Guy represents his strength, spirit, and the incredible ability of the EFESTĒ family to overcome even the toughest obstacles together.
The Story
In 2007, just two years after founding the winery and as they prepared to release their first vintage, Kevin and Angela Taylor’s lives took an unexpected turn. Their youngest son, Joe, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at just five years old. As Joe began treatment at Seattle Children’s Hospital, his parents juggled the overwhelming realities of both managing their winery and supporting him through his fight. “It was an incredible vortex of emotions,” recalls Angela.
Joe endured three years of rigorous treatment. His unwavering courage and positive attitude — often insisting, “Come on, I’m fine! Let’s go!” — inspired everyone around him. His relentless spirit earned him the nickname “Tough Guy,” a moniker that perfectly captured his impenetrable resolve. Thanks to groundbreaking medical research and support from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), Joe has been in remission since 2011.
Determined to give back, the Taylors created Rockin’ Sips, an annual benefit to raise funds for LLS. They also began crafting “Tough Guy” red wine, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to support blood cancer research.
Today, Joe is a Special Teams player for the Washington State University Cougar Football Team, proudly wearing #40. A recent highlight was playing in the 2024 Boeing Apple Cup, where they triumphed over their rivals, the University of Washington Huskies, winning 24-19. Go Cougs!
The Wine
Winemaking Notes
2021 Tough Guy is a blend of 56% Merlot, 33% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from our Angela’s and Taylor Mag Estate Vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA. By harvesting the Merlot and Syrah on the same day, we were able to utilize a co-fermentation process, enhancing the integration of flavors and aromas between the two varietals from the very start. Co-fermenting allows the grapes to interact more fully, leading to a wine with greater cohesion and complexity than if it had been fermented separately and then blended. The ability to co-ferment is an exciting one that doesn’t always happen, as it requires both varietals to ripen at their peak at precisely the same time, a process whose only influence is luck!
Tasting Notes
Tough Guy opens with bold, fruity aromas of ripe plum and blackberry. The palate reveals smooth, silky tannins accompanied by lingering hints of tobacco and spice. This wine is anything but subtle, offering a rich, expressive profile that reflects the earthiness of our Taylor Mag Estate Vineyard in its enduring finish. Its robust character and vibrant flavors make it a fantastic choice for those with a love for wine, and a passion for supporting great causes!
The Vineyard
Tough Guy hails from both Angela’s Vineyard and Taylor Mag Vineyard, two of our Estate Vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA. Angela’s Vineyard is situated on Red Mountain’s northeastern tip, planted on a slope reaching 650 feet of elevation. The soil’s high alkalinity and calcium carbonate content is ideal for growing varietals such as Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Taylor Mag Vineyard is planted on flatter terrain, ideally situated for dark, robust Bordeaux varietals like Merlot, with its densely-planted vines, single-cordon trellising, and ideal sun exposure.
Rockin’ Sips: A Benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Every year, EFESTĒ hosts Rockin’ Sips, a benefit through which we donate directly to LLS to further the life-saving research and medical advancements that benefit patients diagnosed with the disease that Joe fought. This event is our biggest party of the year—a lively night filled with local wine and beer, great food, dancing, and cheers in celebration and support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We invite you to join us at Rockin’ Sips 2025 on Saturday, March 1 from 7-10pm to help us with our fundraising efforts, of which we have thus far raised over $350,000! Your Rockin’ Sips ticket is not just an entry, it also includes:
- A souvenir keepsake glass provided by TrueBrands
- Wine & Beer Tastings from:
- Pizza & catered bites sponsored by Peterson Cheeseand
Green Apple Catering - Live Music & Dancing with DJ Kippy
- Games of Chance & Prize Drawings
- Photo Booth Memories by NLS Photobooths
Rockin’ Sips Drawing
Take a chance & win in our Rockin’ Sips drawing, where you can support lifesaving blood cancer research and play to win some amazing prizes. Entering the drawing is simple—purchase your drawing tickets at our SoDo or Woodinville tasting rooms, spread your net wide or go all in on your favorite item to better your chances at winning! Every ticket sold supports LLS and our mission to help fund critical blood cancer research. Plus, buy $100 worth of drawing tickets before 2/24 and you’ll be entered to win one of three grand prizes! Learn more about the drawing by clicking here.
