Winery’s first Willamette Valley vineyard allows for greater viticultural control, paves the way for possible future production and hospitality facilities
September 22nd – (WALLA WALLA, Wash.) — Bledsoe|McDaniels Winery, a unique collaboration between proprietors Drew Bledsoe and Josh McDaniels venturing into Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, has announced the purchase of an 80-acre estate vineyard property in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. This is the first Willamette Valley estate vineyard for Bledsoe Wine Estates, which includes the Bledsoe|McDaniels, Doubleback, and Bledsoe Family Winery labels, and a potential home for future Bledsoe|McDaniels production and hospitality facilities. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Located in the coveted Eola-Amity Hills AVA, the vineyard features volcanic and sedimentary soils and is currently planted with 29 acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and a small amount of Chenin Blanc. The land is formerly owned by Mimi Casteel of Hope Well Winery, whose parents Ted Casteel and Pat Dudley, founders of Bethel Heights Vineyards, helped pioneer wine production in the region during the 1970s.
“Finding and acquiring truly unique sites has been a key component of our long-term strategy from day one, and opportunities to own such an esteemed property don’t come along every day,” said Josh McDaniels, CEO & Director of Winemaking for Bledsoe Wine Estates. “Being able to build upon the legacy that Mimi established on this land is exciting. She is a tremendous individual whose values aligned with ours, and I am ecstatic to have this as an estate site for Bledsoe|McDaniels. We will continue to be organically farmed and implement the regenerative practices she is so well known for.”
Bledsoe|McDaniels Winery focuses on sustainably and organically farmed, small production, high-quality wines, with an emphasis on Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Walla Walla Valley Syrah. The purchase of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA vineyard provides a potential opportunity for the Bledsoe|McDaniels label to construct production and hospitality facilities in the Willamette Valley, as well as have tighter control over the quality of the fruit in the area.
“We are 100 percent committed to Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, and this investment in the future of Bledsoe|McDaniels is another big step in our plans for a greater presence in the Willamette Valley,” said Drew Bledsoe, founder and proprietor of Bledsoe Wine Estates. “Beyond premium Pinot, the property holds enormous potential for the winery. I am excited for our team to continue with and build upon the reputation that Mimi has established on the property, and to see that play a unique role in our wine quality and experiences over the coming years.”
For more information about Bledsoe|McDaniels Winery and to subscribe to the list, visit BledsoeMcDaniels.com.
About Bledsoe|McDaniels Winery:
Established in 2019, Bledsoe|McDaniels is a collaboration between proprietors Drew Bledsoe and Josh McDaniels focused on producing ultra-premium wines that compare and contrast the popular Burgundian and Rhone varietals of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Walla Walla Valley Syrah. Highlighting the obvious differences of varietal and site terroir, while indulging in their lesser-known similarities, Bledsoe|McDaniels wines are produced in the same state-of-the-art Walla Walla winery as Doubleback and Bledsoe Family Winery wines. For more information, or to sign up for the Bledsoe|McDaniels list, visit BledsoeMcDaniels.com.
About Bledsoe Wine Estates:
Founded in 2007, Bledsoe Wine Estates exists to celebrate the pursuit of an American success story. After retiring from the NFL, football superstar Drew Bledsoe felt a pull back to his small, Pacific-Northwest hometown where he found a new passion in applying his winning work ethic into a love of land and wine. Together, with his wife Maura, a new dream was drafted. It was by no accident that Drew selected renowned CEO & Director of Winemaking, Josh McDaniels, someone not only with the unwavering drive and talent to make this dream happen, but someone who also was born and raised in the same hometown of Walla Walla, Washington. The individual Bledsoe Wine Estates projects – Doubleback, Bledsoe|McDaniels, and Bledsoe Family Winery – all play important parts in this new American dream and offer its customers the perfect glass of wine no matter where they are in their own journey to glory. For more information visit www.bledsoewineestates.com, email info@doubleback.com, or call 509-525-3334.
