Charles Smith Wines is based in Walla Walla, Washington. It was founded in the late 1990s by Charles Smith, a self-taught winemaker who grew up in California and managed rock and roll bands in Europe before getting into the wine business in Washington. In 2001 he released his first wine, the 1999 K Syrah. He started a wine label called House Wine, which he then sold to Precept Brands. In 2006 he started Charles Smith Wines. Grapes are sourced from five Washington AVAs. Charles Smith Wines includes several labels. They are K Vintners, Charles Smith Wines, Secco Italian Bubbles, Charles & Charles and Vino. Varietals produced include Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Riesling, Pinto Grigio, Chardonnay and Viognier.