Northwest Wine Report
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The Wyckoff family's purchase of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates from Sycamore Partners earlier this month presents a variety of questions.
Today, at Northwest Wine Report, I take a look at those questions.
Today, at Northwest Wine Report, I take a look at those questions.
Analyzing the Ste. Michelle sale Part II: Questions
In Part II, I look at questions that remain after the Wyckoff family's purchase of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates last week.
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December 12, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The Wyckoff family's purchase of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates from Sycamore Partners earlier this month presents a variety of questions.
Today, at Northwest Wine Report, I take a look at those questions.
Today, at Northwest Wine Report, I take a look at those questions.
As I wrote earlier this week, the Wyckoff family has purchased Ste. Michelle Wine Estates from Sycamore Partners, a New York-based private equity firm. Here, in Part I of a two-part series, I look at who benefits from the transaction. In Part II, I will look at questions that remain after the sale.
Analyzing the Ste. Michelle sale Part I: Who benefits?
In Part I of a two-part series, I look at who benefits from the Wyckoffs purchasing Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.
www.northwestwinereport.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
As I wrote earlier this week, the Wyckoff family has purchased Ste. Michelle Wine Estates from Sycamore Partners, a New York-based private equity firm. Here, in Part I of a two-part series, I look at who benefits from the transaction. In Part II, I will look at questions that remain after the sale.
At Northwest Wine Report, additional exclusive quotes from Court Wyckoff, whose family purchased Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE) earlier this month, and David Bowman, co-CEO of SMWE.
Additional comments from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
The Wyckoff family purchased Chateau Ste. Michelle earlier this month. Here are additional thoughts from Court Wyckoff and co-CEO David Bowman.
www.northwestwinereport.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:53 PM
At Northwest Wine Report, additional exclusive quotes from Court Wyckoff, whose family purchased Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE) earlier this month, and David Bowman, co-CEO of SMWE.
At Northwest Wine Report, additional exclusive quotes from Court Wyckoff, whose family purchased Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE) earlier this month, and David Bowman, co-CEO of SMWE.
Washington’s Wyckoff family buys Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
The Wyckoff family has purchased Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. The deal closed December 4th. Terms of the sale were not disclosed
www.northwestwinereport.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:52 PM
At Northwest Wine Report, additional exclusive quotes from Court Wyckoff, whose family purchased Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE) earlier this month, and David Bowman, co-CEO of SMWE.
Huge news today with Washington’s Wyckoff family buying Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE), the Northwest’s largest winery. The winery will now be locally-owned for first time in over 50 years.
Exclusive quotes and details at Northwest Wine Report.
Exclusive quotes and details at Northwest Wine Report.
December 2025
www.northwestwinereport.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Huge news today with Washington’s Wyckoff family buying Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE), the Northwest’s largest winery. The winery will now be locally-owned for first time in over 50 years.
Exclusive quotes and details at Northwest Wine Report.
Exclusive quotes and details at Northwest Wine Report.
At Northwest Wine Report, 50+ new wines reviewed, including the latest from Cloudlift, Dahlman, Januik, La Biblioteca, Lange, Lightning Rock, Long Shadows, LucidWild, Nine Hats, North Valley, Novelty Hill, Orr, Pomum, Samā, Walla Walla Vintners, and WeatherEye.
2023 a strong vintage for Willamette Valley (Wine Reviews December 8th 2025)
50+ wines reviewed below and in the database, including the latest from Cloudlift, Dahlman, Januik, La Biblioteca, Lange, Lightning Rock, Long Shadows, LucidWild, Nine Hats, North Valley, Novelty Hill...
www.northwestwinereport.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
At Northwest Wine Report, 50+ new wines reviewed, including the latest from Cloudlift, Dahlman, Januik, La Biblioteca, Lange, Lightning Rock, Long Shadows, LucidWild, Nine Hats, North Valley, Novelty Hill, Orr, Pomum, Samā, Walla Walla Vintners, and WeatherEye.
Big news from the Pacific Northwest, with Evergreen Family purchasing LUKE wines.
“Luke is a staple Washington wine at a premium price, not just in the Northwest but nationwide,” said Brandon Rice, co-owner of Evergreen Family Wines. “We look forward to continuing to tell the Luke story.”
“Luke is a staple Washington wine at a premium price, not just in the Northwest but nationwide,” said Brandon Rice, co-owner of Evergreen Family Wines. “We look forward to continuing to tell the Luke story.”
Evergreen Family purchases Luke Wines
Evergreen Family Wines has purchased Luke Wines. The winery's portfolio includes Milbrandt Family, Ryan Patrick, Alki, and others.
www.northwestwinereport.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Big news from the Pacific Northwest, with Evergreen Family purchasing LUKE wines.
“Luke is a staple Washington wine at a premium price, not just in the Northwest but nationwide,” said Brandon Rice, co-owner of Evergreen Family Wines. “We look forward to continuing to tell the Luke story.”
“Luke is a staple Washington wine at a premium price, not just in the Northwest but nationwide,” said Brandon Rice, co-owner of Evergreen Family Wines. “We look forward to continuing to tell the Luke story.”
A summary of articles from November, inc:
Seattle’s Fatcork still sparkling 15 years in
Aquilini ceases wine production
Jed Steele, Lemberger & the power of wine
10 best NW wine values
David Rosenthal named director of winemaking at L’Ecole
BC wineries show resilience after freezes
And more.
Seattle’s Fatcork still sparkling 15 years in
Aquilini ceases wine production
Jed Steele, Lemberger & the power of wine
10 best NW wine values
David Rosenthal named director of winemaking at L’Ecole
BC wineries show resilience after freezes
And more.
Summary of articles November 2025
Below is a summary of articles from November. Enjoy! Seattle’s Fatcork still sparkling 15 years in Aquilini ceases wine production Jed Steele, Lemberger, and the power of wine The 10 best Northwest wi...
www.northwestwinereport.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:20 PM
A summary of articles from November, inc:
Seattle’s Fatcork still sparkling 15 years in
Aquilini ceases wine production
Jed Steele, Lemberger & the power of wine
10 best NW wine values
David Rosenthal named director of winemaking at L’Ecole
BC wineries show resilience after freezes
And more.
Seattle’s Fatcork still sparkling 15 years in
Aquilini ceases wine production
Jed Steele, Lemberger & the power of wine
10 best NW wine values
David Rosenthal named director of winemaking at L’Ecole
BC wineries show resilience after freezes
And more.
Yes, it's that time of year. Time for our annual Cyber Monday subscription sale!
This is our *only* subscription discount throughout the year. Get $10 off consumer, commercial, or enterprise annual subscriptions. The offer expires at the end of the day Sunday December 7th.
This is our *only* subscription discount throughout the year. Get $10 off consumer, commercial, or enterprise annual subscriptions. The offer expires at the end of the day Sunday December 7th.
Celebrate Cyber Monday at Northwest Wine Report!
Happy Cyber Monday everyone! As always, this is Northwest Wine Report’s only subscriber discount of the year! You all know the story of today, as I have written in previous years. Black Friday, the da...
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December 1, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Yes, it's that time of year. Time for our annual Cyber Monday subscription sale!
This is our *only* subscription discount throughout the year. Get $10 off consumer, commercial, or enterprise annual subscriptions. The offer expires at the end of the day Sunday December 7th.
This is our *only* subscription discount throughout the year. Get $10 off consumer, commercial, or enterprise annual subscriptions. The offer expires at the end of the day Sunday December 7th.
Today at Northwest Wine Report, I take a moment for something I don't usually write about: myself.
Here are five things you might not know about me.
Here are five things you might not know about me.
Five things you might not know about me
By definition, Northwest Wine Report is focused on the wines and wineries of the Pacific Northwest. It has never been my goal to make myself a central part of this site, except when doing so Read more...
www.northwestwinereport.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Today at Northwest Wine Report, I take a moment for something I don't usually write about: myself.
Here are five things you might not know about me.
Here are five things you might not know about me.
55+ new wines reviewed inc the latest from Andrew Januik, Cimento, Cloudlift, Dahlman, Dusted Valley, Ethos, Idilico, Novelty Hill-Januik Winery, La Biblioteca, Long Shadows, LucidWild, North Valley Vineyards, Pomum, Real Wine, Samā, Sex, Walla Walla Vintners, and WeatherEye Vineyards.
Wine Reviews November 21st 2025
55+ wines reviewed below and in the database, including the latest from Andrew Januik, Cimento, Cloudlift, Dahlman, Dusted Valley, Ethos, Idilico, Januik, La Biblioteca, Long Shadows, LucidWild. North...
www.northwestwinereport.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:33 PM
55+ new wines reviewed inc the latest from Andrew Januik, Cimento, Cloudlift, Dahlman, Dusted Valley, Ethos, Idilico, Novelty Hill-Januik Winery, La Biblioteca, Long Shadows, LucidWild, North Valley Vineyards, Pomum, Real Wine, Samā, Sex, Walla Walla Vintners, and WeatherEye Vineyards.
Northwest Wine Report’s Fall Subscriber Drive continues! The site needs additional subscribers before December 31st in order to continue next year. Barring that, publication of Northwest Wine Report will cease in 2026.
Please consider subscribing to the site if you have not already.
Please consider subscribing to the site if you have not already.
Fall Subscriber Drive continues
Northwest Wine Report’s Fall Subscriber Drive continues! This site needs additional subscribers before December 31st in order to continue next year. Barring that, publication of Northwest Wine Report ...
www.northwestwinereport.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Northwest Wine Report’s Fall Subscriber Drive continues! The site needs additional subscribers before December 31st in order to continue next year. Barring that, publication of Northwest Wine Report will cease in 2026.
Please consider subscribing to the site if you have not already.
Please consider subscribing to the site if you have not already.
Bledsoe Family Winery has broken ground on a new tasting room in Walla Walla Valley.
“You’re in a vineyard, and it’s a beautiful location,” says Josh McDaniels, CEO, director of winemaking, and partner at Bledsoe Wine Estates.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
“You’re in a vineyard, and it’s a beautiful location,” says Josh McDaniels, CEO, director of winemaking, and partner at Bledsoe Wine Estates.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
Bledsoe Family Winery breaks ground on new Walla Walla tasting room
Bledsoe Family Winery has broken ground on a new tasting room in Walla Walla Valley. The tasting room is expected to open next summer.
www.northwestwinereport.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Bledsoe Family Winery has broken ground on a new tasting room in Walla Walla Valley.
“You’re in a vineyard, and it’s a beautiful location,” says Josh McDaniels, CEO, director of winemaking, and partner at Bledsoe Wine Estates.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
“You’re in a vineyard, and it’s a beautiful location,” says Josh McDaniels, CEO, director of winemaking, and partner at Bledsoe Wine Estates.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
British Columbia wineries faced enormous challenges after back-to-back freeze events killed vines and severely reduced crops in 2023 and 2024. Growers and winemakers in the area, however, are showing their resilience and are working to come out of the current crisis stronger than ever.
British Columbia wineries show resilience after freezes
From replanting to changing what is planted where and working on cold mitigation, British Columbia wineries are bouncing back.
www.northwestwinereport.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:15 PM
British Columbia wineries faced enormous challenges after back-to-back freeze events killed vines and severely reduced crops in 2023 and 2024. Growers and winemakers in the area, however, are showing their resilience and are working to come out of the current crisis stronger than ever.
L'Ecole No 41 Winery has named David Rosenthal as director of winemaking.
“There’s no one that I would rather have at my right hand to help lead this winery into the future than David,” said Ryan Pennington, chief operating office of L’Ecole.
“There’s no one that I would rather have at my right hand to help lead this winery into the future than David,” said Ryan Pennington, chief operating office of L’Ecole.
David Rosenthal named director of winemaking at L’Ecole No. 41
L’Ecole No. 41 has named David Rosenthal director of winemaking. Rosenthal is among the state’s most accomplished winemakers.
www.northwestwinereport.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:49 PM
L'Ecole No 41 Winery has named David Rosenthal as director of winemaking.
“There’s no one that I would rather have at my right hand to help lead this winery into the future than David,” said Ryan Pennington, chief operating office of L’Ecole.
“There’s no one that I would rather have at my right hand to help lead this winery into the future than David,” said Ryan Pennington, chief operating office of L’Ecole.
Here are the 10 best Northwest wine values on the shelf right now. I selected wines that stood out for their quality and value from my tastings since the beginning of June.
The 10 best Northwest wine values right now
Here are the 10 best Northwest wine values on the shelf right now. I selected wines that stood out for quality and value in my tastings.
www.northwestwinereport.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Here are the 10 best Northwest wine values on the shelf right now. I selected wines that stood out for their quality and value from my tastings since the beginning of June.
Winemaker Jed Steele passed away this past week. Steele’s contributions to the Lake County and California wine industries have been well-documented. At Northwest Wine Report, I touch on Steele’s Washington connections and also a personal one.
Jed Steele, Lemberger, and the power of wine
Winemaker Jed Steele passed away this week. Here, I touch on Steele’s Washington connections and also a personal one.
www.northwestwinereport.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Winemaker Jed Steele passed away this past week. Steele’s contributions to the Lake County and California wine industries have been well-documented. At Northwest Wine Report, I touch on Steele’s Washington connections and also a personal one.
“There have been two pillars of Fatcork,” says Bryan Maletis, founder of Fatcork in Seattle. “The best quality sparkling wine in the world and the best customer service we can offer.” Fatcork has delivered both. The company celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
Seattle’s Fatcork still sparkling 15 years in
Seattle's Fatcork, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, focuses exclusively on grower Champagne.
www.northwestwinereport.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:47 PM
“There have been two pillars of Fatcork,” says Bryan Maletis, founder of Fatcork in Seattle. “The best quality sparkling wine in the world and the best customer service we can offer.” Fatcork has delivered both. The company celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
Aquilini Family Wines has discontinued production of its wine brands in Washington. The move came abruptly in the middle of harvest.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
Aquilini ceases wine production
Aquilini Family Wines has discontinued production of its wine brands in Washington. The move came abruptly in the middle of harvest.
www.northwestwinereport.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Aquilini Family Wines has discontinued production of its wine brands in Washington. The move came abruptly in the middle of harvest.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
45+ wines reviewed today at Northwest Wine Report, including the latest from Chehalem Estate, EcholandsWinery, History, L'Ecole No 41 Winery, Pashey, Rocky Pond Winery, Sagemoor Estates, Stoller Family Estate, Trisaetum Winery, and Wautoma Springs.
Wine Reviews October 29th 2025
45+ wines reviewed below, including the latest from Chehalem, Echolands, History, L’Ecole No. 41, Pashey, Rocky Pond, Sagemoor, Stoller Family, Trisaetum, and Wautoma Springs. At Northwest Wine Report...
www.northwestwinereport.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:59 PM
45+ wines reviewed today at Northwest Wine Report, including the latest from Chehalem Estate, EcholandsWinery, History, L'Ecole No 41 Winery, Pashey, Rocky Pond Winery, Sagemoor Estates, Stoller Family Estate, Trisaetum Winery, and Wautoma Springs.
“I’ve got a theory that clean wines are boring,” says Peter Devison of Walla Walla Valley's Devison Vintners.
At Northwest Wine Report, a look at Devison's wine journey and his approach to winemaking.
At Northwest Wine Report, a look at Devison's wine journey and his approach to winemaking.
Devison Vintners is making some of the world’s best wine
Winemaker Peter Devison of Walla Walla Valley’s Devison Vintners is making some of the best wines in the world.
www.northwestwinereport.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:36 PM
“I’ve got a theory that clean wines are boring,” says Peter Devison of Walla Walla Valley's Devison Vintners.
At Northwest Wine Report, a look at Devison's wine journey and his approach to winemaking.
At Northwest Wine Report, a look at Devison's wine journey and his approach to winemaking.
The last 5+ years have seen profound changes at tasting rooms. The “belly up to the bar” tasting flight is gone and has been replaced by seated, “experience-based” tastings. There are profound implications for the industry.
Has focusing on “the experience” helped the wine industry or hurt it?
More time at a winery = fewer overall winery visits There has been a lot of hand-wringing of late about why tasting room visitation is down. Overlooked, however, is a very simple math problem that Rea...
www.northwestwinereport.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The last 5+ years have seen profound changes at tasting rooms. The “belly up to the bar” tasting flight is gone and has been replaced by seated, “experience-based” tastings. There are profound implications for the industry.
Valo and Massalto, two wineries owned by Matías Kúsulas and Michael Ruhland, have opened a tasting room in Tacoma. This is part of a trend of wineries opening tasting rooms in the city.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
Valo and Massalto tasting room opens in Tacoma
Valo and Massalto, two wineries owned by Matías Kúsulas and Michael Ruhland, have opened a tasting room in Tacoma.
www.northwestwinereport.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Valo and Massalto, two wineries owned by Matías Kúsulas and Michael Ruhland, have opened a tasting room in Tacoma. This is part of a trend of wineries opening tasting rooms in the city.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
I need your help. If you read Northwest Wine Report and have not subscribed already, please do so now during my Fall Subscriber Drive.
Northwest Wine Report is 100% subscriber funded. It is my primary source of income. The only way that this site will be able to continue is if you support it.
Northwest Wine Report is 100% subscriber funded. It is my primary source of income. The only way that this site will be able to continue is if you support it.
Fall subscriber drive
I need your help. If you read Northwest Wine Report and have not subscribed already, please do so now during my Fall Subscriber Drive. This site is 100% subscriber funded. It is my primary source Read...
www.northwestwinereport.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I need your help. If you read Northwest Wine Report and have not subscribed already, please do so now during my Fall Subscriber Drive.
Northwest Wine Report is 100% subscriber funded. It is my primary source of income. The only way that this site will be able to continue is if you support it.
Northwest Wine Report is 100% subscriber funded. It is my primary source of income. The only way that this site will be able to continue is if you support it.