K Vintners is located in Walla Walla, in the heart of Washington State's wine country. Though the property was homesteaded as a farm in 1853, it became a winery only in 2001 when Charles Smith purchased the property and started making wine. Smith, a California native, had previously had worked as a manager for a rock band in Copenhagen. Smith taught himself winemaking and his Syrahs have attained something of a cult status. In 2009 Food & Wine Magazine named Smith American Winemaker of the Year. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that "Charles continues to make some of Washington's finest wines....Charles knows where to find the great grapes...Almost all his wines are sourced from single vineyards." The winery also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Viognier.