LOWDEN, Wash. — Marty Clubb and LʼEcole N° 41 have made a statement to the wine community by recruiting Ste. Michelle Wine Estates executive Ryan Pennington to become chief operating officer of the 40-year-old Walla Walla Valley brand. “I can hear jaws hitting the table with this news,“ Clubb told Great Northwest Wine. “The 40th anniversary says a lot about our past, but it … [Read more...] about Ryan Pennington signs on for long term as LʼEcole COO
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Ted Baseler to receive Lifetime Achievement Award from Auction of Washington Wines
WOODINVILLE, Wash. — The Auction of Washington Wines, one of the top five charitable wine auctions in the U.S., has named Ted Baseler, retired CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, as the recipient of its 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. This year marks the 36th annual Auction of Washington Wines, and the presentation to Baseler will be featured as part of the second annual … [Read more...] about Ted Baseler to receive Lifetime Achievement Award from Auction of Washington Wines
Duckhorn promotes winemaker Joe Czarny at Canvasback after Rudin leaves for Echolands
WALLA WALLA, Wash. — The two Duckhorn Portfolio brands in Washington state will continue to be led by a graduate of Walla Walla Community College’s vaunted winemaking program with Joseph Czarny replacing Brian Rudin as winemaker for the Canvasback and Greenwing labels. However, Rudin won’t be leaving Walla Walla. He used social media on July 2 to announce … [Read more...] about Duckhorn promotes winemaker Joe Czarny at Canvasback after Rudin leaves for Echolands
Fires threaten wineries, vines in Columbia Gorge, Yakima Valley
Fires east of the Cascades in Washington state continue to scorch wine regions in the Columbia Gorge and the Yakima Valley on Monday. First reports of the Gorge blaze — named the Tunnel 5 Fire because it began near Highway 14’s Tunnel 5 — were called into officials Sunday morning. Fire crews immediately were deployed to Cook-Underwood Road west of the community of … [Read more...] about Fires threaten wineries, vines in Columbia Gorge, Yakima Valley
British Columbia wine industry prepares for widespread replanting
The winter kill that swept through the British Columbia wine industry late in 2022 will result in an estimated crop loss of 54% for the 2023 harvest and prompt the replanting of as much as 29% of the province’s vineyards, according to Wine Growers British Columbia. Miles Prodan, the group’s President and CEO since 2010, sent an update to membership on Thursday that framed … [Read more...] about British Columbia wine industry prepares for widespread replanting