Founded in 2009
Cairdeas Winery began as a small artisan venture in 2009, founded by us, husband-and-wife team Charlie and Lacey Lybecker. Originally based in West Seattle, we launched the winery with a shared passion for crafting Rhône-inspired wines that bring people together. As our journey unfolded, we felt a strong pull toward the scenic beauty and vibrant community of the Lake Chelan Valley.
In 2012, we made the move to this stunning region, where the landscape and climate provided the perfect canvas for our winemaking dreams. Nestled among the Cascade Mountains and the sparkling waters of the lake, we found a home to raise our family, plant roots for our winery, and grow an incredible team {framily} that truly embodies the Cairdeas vibe.
At Cairdeas, we remain deeply committed to producing exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of Washington State. We’re proud to stay true to our roots as a close-knit, family-owned winery. Every bottle we craft is a celebration of friendship, adventure, and the joy of sharing good wine with great people.
Cheers!
What Does Cairdeas Mean?
Cairdeas (we say ‘Cardis’) is an ancient Gaelic word meaning friendship, goodwill, or alliance. To us, great wine is meant to be shared with friends, goodwill should be spread at every opportunity, and alliances formed with those who share our passion.
The word holds personal significance for us, tied to our shared Irish heritage. It represents the bond we’ve built with each other, the alliances we’ve formed within our industry, and the friendships we’ve cultivated along the way. For us, Cairdeas is not just a name, but a reflection of who we are and the relationships we cherish.
Charlie Lybecker
Winemaker
Charlie is the head winemaker at Cairdeas Winery, where he specializes in crafting Rhone-inspired wines from Washington’s unique terroir. His journey into winemaking began with a shared passion for wine and exploration alongside his wife, Lacey. What better way to connect than through wine tasting and discovering new flavors together?
Charlie’s curiosity about the art and science of winemaking—ranging from vineyard practices to barrel aging, yeast fermentation, and innovative techniques—fuels his dedication to creating exceptional wines. His fascination with the wines of France’s Rhône Valley profoundly influences both the vineyard selections and the wines he creates, giving Cairdeas wines their distinctive character and sense of place.
Lacey Lybecker
PResident, Owner & The Glue
Lacey is the President, Owner, and driving force behind Cairdeas Winery. As the glue that holds everything together, she oversees the business operations including marketing and sales, while also diving into the hands-on work of harvest, blending, tending the vines, and bottling.
Lacey discovered wine in Australia at age 19. Viticulture was farming but so different than the one she grew up on in Minnesota. Before transitioning to full-time work at the winery, she held marketing management roles in nonprofit, events, and hospitality. Lacey also serves on the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a former Vice Chair of the Washington State Wine Commission. Together, Lacey and Charlie are raising two boys and a few dogs!
Charles Schmitz
Cellarmaster & Farm Manager
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Charles is Lacey’s younger brother and they grew up on a farm in northwestern Minnesota. From the moment the winery started, Charles was asking when we would hire him. Lacey’s answer: I have to hire myself first. Fast forward to 2017, on a whim, Charles took a sabbatical from his job in Fargo, ND to join us for harvest. He really enjoyed the change of pace! In April of 2018, he and his wife, Kylie, made the move to Lake Chelan, and he joined our team as Cellarmaster and Farm Manager (he is a jack of all trades which comes in handy). They have two kids (Clara and Leo) three dogs, Luna, Wall-E, and Margot.
Danielle Calvillo
Tasting Room Manager
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Danielle joined the Cairdeas Crew in March of 2016. She was new to the Lake Chelan Valley and planned on spending some time with her kids before jumping back into a career. Lacey and Charlie asked (ok, maybe begged) her to help out at the tasting room one weekend and the rest is history! One day a week transitioned to two and three, and eventually, we knew she was meant to be our Tasting Room Manager. Danielle is such an integral part of our team. Her background is in retail sales management and she is an expert in developing systems to help us all run more efficiently.
Cara Engstrom
Wine Club Manager
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The Cairdeas Crew gained Cara in 2021 when she decided to leave the corporate world to dive headfirst into the service and wine industry. Cara grew up in Burien, just 10 minutes from where Cairdeas first began, making her connection to the winery feel full circle. She moved to Chelan six years ago, returning to her husband’s hometown and quickly falling in love with the community. Cara is a proud WSU alum, spreadsheet queen, and hospitality guru. When she’s not at Cairdeas, Cara stays busy raising her two kids with her husband Mat and enjoying life in the Lake Chelan Valley.
ELISSA Garvey
Marketing Manager
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Coming soon!
Alia Ellison
SODO Tasting Room Manager
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Coming soon!
