This Is Who We Are
It’s a Family Affair
Kevin and Bonni both grew up in neighboring towns north of Seattle, dated in high school and eventually drifted apart for 24 years only to find themselves back together. Kevin had already started the winery but they reunited prior to the first bottling, which the two of them did by hand! Both worked their regular jobs while building the winery and have finally been able to leave those “day jobs” and are now focusing all their time and energy on the winery and raising their grandson, Decker (and Ziggy).
Meet the Team
If you could pick up a new skill in an instant what would it be?
A scratch golfer.
Which way does your toilet paper hang on the wall - Over or Under?
You mean people actually have it go under? Weird!! Over, of course.
What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Work smart, not hard.
If you could be guaranteed one thing in life (besides money) what would it be?
Good health.
If you could magically become fluent in any language, what would it be?
Italian.
What is your absolute dream job?
Besides a winemaker? Probably a sportscaster; getting paid to watch and talk about sports sounds pretty good to me.
What are three things still left on your bucket list?
1. Drive a Formula One car
2. Go on an African Safari
3. Dive the Great Barrier Reef/swim with sharks.
What do you like best about working at Barrage?
I love that we get to see each step from grapes in a bin to wine in a glass… and seeing people enjoy that wine in a glass is the best part.
What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
A Bon Jovi cassette tape.
If you had to teach a class on one thing, what would you teach?
Helium Leak Test.
What is your favorite pairing (food/wine) plate and varietal?
I like cheese with my wine.
What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
Its called “Dancing Shrimp".
What’s your favorite place to eat around here?
Passion Tequila.
What’s the oldest thing in your refrigerator?
A Riesling from 2012!
What is your favorite pairing (food/wine) plate and varietal?
Filet mignon with gorgonzola mushroom sauce & Cabernet Sauvignon.
What do you like best about working at Barrage?
The people! From the owners, to the staff, to the customers, they're hands down the best there is!
What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?
Salmon fishing in the Puget Sound or San Juan Islands.
What fictional character do you wish you could meet?
Bond. James Bond. He’s got all the cool gadgets, not to mention cars!
What is the best place you ever visited?
Switzerland! I loved the storybook green rolling hills, waterfront castles, fondue, raclette & sparkling wine!
What’s one of your favorite memories from the past year?
After a long, long, LONG road, getting engaged to the love of my life & high school sweetheart.
What does a perfect vacation look like for you?
Sunshine, turquoise water, white sandy beaches, sunset cruises, blended drinks, good food, comfortable bed, and no schedule.
What is your favorite season of the year and why?
I love warm summer days. I love to wake up to birds singing and sun shining through the window, plus, the days seem to never end!
What is your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas, hands down! I love the lights, the festivities, and happiness surrounding this holiday. Raising our grandson adds another level of sweet innocence to the season, and yes, the birth of Christ!
What's your guilty pleasure?
A bowl of chips or popcorn while watching a Hallmark show and getting my feet rubbed by your favorite winemaker... (He does wash his hands before making your wine)!
What's one thing most people don't know about you?
I'm inherently shy.
What is your favorite family tradition?
Christmas Eve "Banya". This fondue meal is one where you have hot oil as a centerpiece and tons of different types of meat, seafood, and vegetables that you cook as you sit around and chat the night away. Followed by chocolate fondue with fruits and rice crispy treats for dessert! Introduced by my dear friend, Kathleen Hurn, who has traded in her legs for wings...
What's something you've done, but will never do again?
Drive Highway 1 up the California coast. It is so beautiful but if you try to do it in one day, you are not going to feel well at the end of that twisty road.
What are three things still left on your bucket list?
My bucket list is all about travel. I want to go to Turkey, Jerusalem, and stay at the Giraffe Manor (it is where you have tea with Giraffes).
What was your favorite toy as a kid?
My dad owns a battery business so when I got a red Barbie corvette he supercharged it so it could go 20 Miles an hour. You could find me driving to my grandparents house (next door) talking on the phone.
If you were independently wealthy and didn’t have to work, what would you do with your time?
I would start a nonprofit helping veterans. Especially vets coming back from war. I would want to help them reacclimate to society.
At which store would you like to max-out your credit card?
I love all things Ted Baker so I would say a Ted Baker store or Nordstrom.
What was your childhood nickname?
It is not really a child nickname but in college my nickname was T3. It comes from Dr. Seus books. Thing 1 and Thing 2 make the little boy get into trouble. Well I was the little boy and my two best friends were the trouble.
What is the worst pet you have ever had?
My Birthday is on April Fools, when I was about 13 my grandpa thought it would be funny to get me a goat and tie it to the front porch. We came home late that night so I called it Midnight. It was the worst goat ever and would sleep on my dads lawnmower. He would also eat everything including some of the siding on our house!
What actress would you want to play you if they ever made a movie about your life?
I am extremely obsessed with Audrey Helpburn so I would say her around the time she was in Two for the Road.
What is the most wonderful food you've ever eaten?
The slab of prime rib stolen off the counter followed up by 3 plates of Christmas cookies (not the same day).
What's the biggest misconception people have about your position?
That I'm actually working.
If you could become fluent in one language, what would it be?
Human.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Loyal, Loving, and Snuggly.
What's the worst job you've ever had, and what did you learn from it?
Training to be a service dog in jail, I learned that my new life is pretty cushy!
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Lassie, she was cute.
What song have you completely memorized?
Both Chicken Fried by Zach Brown Band and Dance Monkey by Tones and I.
What's your most hated household chore?
Cleaning my room.
If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation.
If you could only eat one item for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cheeseburgers.
What's something - big or small - that you're good at?
Eating, playing chess, and baseball.
If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would you choose?
My dog, Ziggy.
What's your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas when it snows, or Halloween.
If you had a time machine, would you go back in time or into the future?
I would go back so I can start my birthdays again and eat cake!
What do you like best about working at Barrage?
I love the people! Bonni and Kevin are warm, gracious, generous, and knowledgeable. Working with them at Barrage has given me a wonderful opportunity to make new friends, while learning more about the wine industry and their amazing wines. As much as Barrage is about crafting outstanding wine, it's also about family and friendship. I’ve felt so welcome and appreciated; like I’m a valued part of their business and have helped contribute to their success. To gain such a feeling, while loving the work I'm so passionate about, is priceless.
What is your favorite pairing (food/wine) plate and varietal?
Hard to beat a bold, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon paired with an amazing filet mignon.
If you could have any one superpower, which would you choose?
Be able to speak and understand any/all languages.
What country would you travel to if you could go anywhere?
Thailand.
What is the meaning of your name?
Erin: It is very Irish and means Ireland in Gaelic, and it also means Peace.
What fictional place would you most like to visit?
Hogwarts.
Can you play any instruments?
Piano and French Horn.
