Dr. Bob Jankelson: The Visionary Who Brought Italy to Chelan | Tsillan Cellars

There are certain people who don't simply live in a community—they help shape what that community becomes.And today on Small Towns Unscripted, we have the privilege of sitting down with one of those people.Dr. Bob Jankelson’s story begins on an original Washington family homestead, where he and his twin brother were raised by their grandmother without running water or indoor plumbing. It was there, doing farm chores, that Bob learned a philosophy that has followed him throughout his life: you can choose to enjoy the work in front of you—or you can choose not to. Bob chose to enjoy it.That work ethic would take him a very long way from that family farm.He graduated with honors from the University of Washington Dental School, built a remarkable career in dentistry and medical research, founded Myotronics Research, authored textbooks and scientific articles, developed groundbreaking medical technology, and ultimately delivered more than 600 lectures at medical and dental universities around the world.But then came Lake Chelan.Bob first fell in love with this valley as a University of Washington student in 1957. Nearly four decades later, he retired here—and instead of simply enjoying retirement, he began looking at what was happening to the community around him.Chelan's small orchards were disappearing. Bob believed that if this valley was going to preserve its agricultural heritage, it needed another chapter.His answer was grapes.Beginning in 1998, he started purchasing distressed orchard properties along Chelan's South Shore, eventually assembling 127 acres. And in 2000, he began creating what would become Tsillan Cellars.Today, Tsillan Cellars is one of the defining destinations of the Lake Chelan wine industry—recognized as Washington Winery of the Year in 2020, with Sorrento's earning international recognition as a destination restaurant.But I think the more important part of Bob's story is what all of that represents.Long before Lake Chelan became known as a wine destination, Bob saw what this valley could become. He believed agriculture could be preserved rather than abandoned, that tourism could extend beyond the traditional summer season, and that world-class wine, food, music, architecture and agriculture could all come together right here in Chelan.Now, approaching his 88th year, Bob is thinking about something else: stewardship—and what it means to pass the baton to the next generation.So today isn't just a conversation about Tsillan Cellars.It's about growing up on a Washington homestead. It's about science, entrepreneurship, agriculture, risk, vision and reinvention. It's about watching Lake Chelan change—and having the courage to help shape that change.And maybe most importantly, it's about what we leave behind when it's finally time to hand that stewardship to somebody else.This is exactly the kind of story Small Towns Unscripted was created to tell.Dr. Bob Jankelson, welcome to Small Towns Unscripted.