The tradition of breaking tradition.

Behind every single bottle of WA wine is not one person, but a community. We have a saying here: a rising tide floats all boats. That’s because from grapes to glass to you, Washington wine is a deeply human pursuit. There is no shortage of personality, character, and expression in our wine. We’re thrilled to introduce you to the stories, voices, and heartbeat of Washington: the people who have made, and continue to make, what WA Wine is today. This is us, this is now. 

WA Wine Spotlight

Get to Know our Sustainable WA Grape Growers

Meet the Growers! Our Sustainable WA Grower Stories highlight the importance of the Sustainable WA certification program from the perspective of wine grape growers in Washington.
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Breaking Ground • Farmer Ambassador Program

We’re thrilled to introduce our first-ever farmer ambassador program, Breaking Ground, which follows a cohort of 14 farmers across 10 months in 2022. Get to know our ambassadors below.

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“Soy la voz de los que no la tienen. Creemelo, estoy gritando.” — Maria Remington

“I am the voice for the voiceless. Believe me, I’m yelling.” Meet Maria Remington, Promotora de Salud (Community Health Worker) in the…
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“This is the dream. My heart is so happy on this lawnmower right now.” — Miriah Falce

“Este es el sueño. Mi corazón está tan feliz en este cortacésped ahora mismo.” Meet Miriah Falce, Enologist at Cairdeas Winery in…
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“Soy una persona del amanecer. Me encantan los amaneceres.” — Tony Flores

“I’m a sunrise person. I love the sunrises.” Meet Tony Flores, Assistant Vineyard Manager at Andrews Family Vineyards in the Horse Heaven…
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“Wine encourages me to pursue an untreatable dream and discover places I have never been.”

Juanita Diusabá Yusunguaira graduated as an honors student in 2023 and is now an assistant Winemaker at Lyme Bay Winery in Devon, England. This is our conversation on what Juanita […]

“It’s a challenge… and I love challenges.”

Cory Vaughn (CV): Can you please update me on some basic information, including your date of graduation from the EV program, current employer and position?Collin DeLong (CD): I graduated from […]

“I really think we’ve just scratched the surface of Washington’s capability.”

Payton talks with me about the profound connection between people and wine, the joys of being stewards to the land, and honoring the connection to wine with all communities. In […]

“I love creating something tangible that brings people joy.”

Loic Rhyne (LR): Can you please update me on some basic information: date of EV graduation, current employer and position?Spencer Williams (SW): Class of 2012, Tranche Estate (Washington Vintners), Winemaker […]

“Walla Walla strikes the perfect balance for me, the goldilocks of growing regions in the Pacific Northwest.”

As an alumnus of WWCC EV program and current Viticulturist at Les Collines Vineyard, Alex Mesick opens up about his journey into the wine domain. Through this conversation, Mesick sheds […]

“I just believe in trying to work hard and not take anything for granted. Each day is a gift.”

JJ and his wife, Kelly, are both WWCC E&V alumni class of 2017 owners and winemakers for Aluvé. Andy Romo (AR): Can you please update me on some basic information, […]

“I get the opportunity to meet all sorts of interesting people every day.”

Olivia Arellano (OA): Can you please update me on some basic information: date of EV graduation, current employer and position, social media handles, preferred contact details?Derrek Vipond (DV): Graduation 2007, […]

“People still go out of their way to help each other if something breaks down.”

Andy Romo (AR): Can you please update me on some basic information, including your date of graduation from the EV program, current employer and position?Matt Oakley (MO): Graduated in 2007. […]

“This transformative process is what brings me joy in winemaking.”

Nick Jackson is a 2017 WWCC EV Alumnus and the Laboratory Technician at Long Shadows Vintners in Walla Walla, WA. He has a passion for wine chemistry, and is Washington […]

“I find myself staying busy all the time, but it is always something different.”

Can you please update me on some basic information: date of EV graduation, current employer and position?I graduated from the EV program in June of 2019. I currently run my […]

Meet the Next & New Gen

Currents students from Walla Walla Community College’s V&E program interviewed 13 winemaker & winegrower alums to get a glimpse into their stories. Take a look below at the current future of #WAwine.

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“Wine encourages me to pursue an untreatable dream and discover places I have never been.”

Juanita Diusabá Yusunguaira graduated as an honors student in 2023 and is now an assistant Winemaker at Lyme Bay Winery in Devon,…
Learn More
Story

“It’s a challenge… and I love challenges.”

Cory Vaughn (CV): Can you please update me on some basic information, including your date of graduation from the EV program, current…
Learn More
Story

“I really think we’ve just scratched the surface of Washington’s capability.”

Payton talks with me about the profound connection between people and wine, the joys of being stewards to the land, and honoring…
Learn More
Story

“I love creating something tangible that brings people joy.”

Loic Rhyne (LR): Can you please update me on some basic information: date of EV graduation, current employer and position?Spencer Williams (SW):…
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2023 Next Gen

13 students from WWCC were interviewed in 2023. Read their stories below.

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“There is No Right or Wrong Way to Make Wine.” — Tyler Morrison

  I interviewed Tyler Morrison, assistant winemaker at L’Ecole No 41. We discussed everything from what initiated him getting into the wine…
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“(Wine) is a path, a lifestyle that you will meet some of the best people in the world on.” — Tabitha Crenshaw

Tabitha Crenshaw is an industrious mother of three. She has owned and operated several restaurants in Walla Walla and has now settled…
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“Listen to what your gut tells you and do that.” — Steve Wells

Steve Wells lives in Walla Walla and is the owner and winemaker at Time and Direction.  We will be talking about their…
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“I love going to work every day.” — Salvador Jimenez

Rick Swanson: Can you please update me on some basic information: date of EV graduation, current employer and position, social media handles,…
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2022 Next Gen

20 students from WWCC were interviewed in 2022. Read their stories below.

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“Don’t be afraid to get as much experience as you can.” — Toby Turlay

An interview with Toby Turlay of Ducleaux Cellars. Tryg Dukelow: How did you get into wine? Toby Turlay: It started with enjoying…
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“Keep learning, take risks, and leave the land better than you found it.” — Sager Small.

An interview with Sager Small of Woodward Canyon by Brook Browning. Sager Small is half of the second generation, along with his…
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“What excites me the most is the future.” — Robert Gomez

The below interview is a part of our Alumni Series, featuring winemakers who graduated from the Walla Walla Community College V&E Program.
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“I like that we are setting ourselves apart.” — Rob Wohr

Supporting Diversity: an interview with Rob Wohr of Explohr Wine Company by David Perlman. Rob Wohr, lives in Walla Walla and…
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