Carl’s Pond Winery is named after Carl Tweiten. Great Uncle-in-law to Co-owner Gary Sleeger. We pay homage to him because of his rugged individualism, fierce independence, and self-reliance/discipline. Blinded by a mining explosion in Alaska in the 1930’s Carl returned to Gig Harbor where he had amassed close to 100 acres of land. He succeeded in building his own house, dredged a pond and proceeded to operate a peat business followed by a nursery. His house and Pond near Crescent Lake are where we are building our production building overlooking Carl’s Pond.

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We are two friends with one passion; bringing the best possible expression of Washington grape wine to your table. We believe in the quality of Washington grapes and that great wine is made in the vineyard. Over 3,000 years of grapes converting to wine, the basic process hasn’t changed; the controlled decomposition of the grape in the lifecycle of the plant, the essence of the vine held in stasis in the wine. The sun, rain and soil conditions for the year of growth all do their part to affect the outcome. Our endeavor is to assist the process and ease the transition, if you will. Each vintage emerging after fermentation with it’s own character, to be nurtured gracefully to maturity.

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Gary Sleeger- 42+ year Gig Harbor resident over 23 years grape wine making experience

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Frank Reale, 19+ year Gig Harbor resident, making wine with Gary since 2003

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We are greatly assisted by Alf Hopen, father-in-law to Gary, nephew of Carl Tweiten.