Rotie Cellars was founded in 2007 by Sean Boyd, a Tacoma native who spent a decade as a geologist in oil and gas exploration before working his first harvest at Waters Winery in Walla Walla in 2004. The winery's name pays homage to Côte-Rôtie in France's Northern Rhône, reflecting Boyd's focus on traditional Rhône-style blends made in Washington State: Syrah-Viognier in the Northern Rhône style and Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre blends inspired by the Southern Rhône. Boyd's geology background shows in his attention to terroir, sourcing largely from the estate Rotie Rocks Vineyard in the famed Rocks District of Walla Walla Valley, alongside other top Rhône-variety vineyards across the state. Wine Advocate has scored several Rotie bottlings 94-95 points. The winery pours at two tasting rooms, one in Walla Walla overlooking the estate vineyard and one in Seattle's SODO neighborhood.