This is where the modern industry began. Steve and Bobbi Kludt, former apple growers, planted the valley’s first commercial wine grapes in 1998 and bonded Chelan County’s first and second wineries in 2000. Lake Chelan Winery remains a community cornerstone, credited with helping pull the local economy through the collapse of the apple market and now running one of the largest wine clubs in the state. It is part of Kludt-Williams Family brands, alongside sister label Wapato Point Cellars. The daily summer barbecue and the big gift shop are institutions in their own right.