The Walls Vineyards is delighted to introduce three new hires, including Kate Woodward as the National Sales Manager, Peter Urian as Associate Winemaker, and Danielle Knott as Direct to Consumer Manager
WALLA WALLA, WA — August 21, 2024 — The Walls Vineyards and PÁŠXA Wines, known for crafting classic and eclectic wines from the Northwest’s most unique AVAs, is pleased to welcome three new members to their leadership team. Celebrating their tenth anniversary this year, The Walls is focused on continued growth and their unwavering commitment to producing world-class Washington wines. The personnel expansion is their newest move amidst a robust 2024, including a newly launched website and an upgraded culinary program in their Walla Walla winery and tasting room.
At the forefront of this new chapter is the appointment of Kate Woodward as National Sales Manager, which underscores The Walls’ commitment to growing their accessibility on a national scale. Woodward’s varied career in the wine industry spans distribution, large wine companies, importers, and boutique brands, including key roles at Charles Smith Wines and European Cellars. Over the past decade, Woodward focused exclusively on Washington wine at Charles Smith, cultivating a passion for the state’s wine industry. Her nuanced understanding of the unique needs of independent producers, gained from her tenure with some of the most respected names in the business, ensures that The Walls is in expert hands as they look to bring their exciting, eccentric, and high quality Washington wines to national markets.
In the cellar, Peter Urian has rejoined The Walls Vineyards as Associate Winemaker, working closely with Executive Winemaker Sally Johnson Blum for both The Walls and PÁŠXA Wines. After beginning his winemaking career at Cornell University and gaining experience in New York, California, and Austria, Urian first joined The Walls in 2016, later honing his skills at Devona Winery. His return to The Walls signals a homecoming to where his passion for Washington winemaking truly began.
In addition to Woodward, The Walls is pleased to welcome Danielle Knott as Direct to Consumer Manager in their sales and marketing department. Knott’s background in managing rooftop farms and Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City reflects her passion for integrating agriculture with hospitality. Since moving to Walla Walla in 2020, she has deepened her expertise in this intersection, and at The Walls, she will enhance the direct-to-consumer experience, ensuring guests connect meaningfully with both the wines and the terroir.
Together, Woodward, Urian, and Knott’s diverse backgrounds and shared passion for the wine industry position them to drive The Walls’ vision forward, creating memorable and impactful experiences for wine enthusiasts nationwide. “We’re so excited to welcome these industry stars to our team at The Walls Vineyards,” shared General Manager Ben Kaehler. “Kate, Peter, and Danielle exemplify what makes The Walls special—their meticulous approach to details paired with a deep curiosity to pursue new frontiers in winemaking and hospitality.” This hiring expansion underlines an exciting new chapter in the legacy that founder Mike Martin began 10 years ago when his encounter with Washington’s burgeoning wine town sparked a lifelong passion for the spirit of hospitality at the heart of the wine industry. With this dynamic team, The Walls is poised to honor its origins while forging ahead with innovative approaches, ensuring that every bottle and visit resonates with the story and soul of Walla Walla.
About The Walls Vineyards
thewallsvineyards.com | @thewallsvineyards
The Walls crafts exciting, original wines using sustainably grown grapes from the most celebrated AVAs in the Pacific Northwest’s Columbia Valley, including Red Mountain, The Rocks District, Walla Walla, and Yakima Valley. These are distinctly American wines, exploring terroir across traditions and state lines, highlighting the region’s unparalleled varietal diversity and sense of community. The winery’s meticulous approach to their practices in the vineyard and the cellar produce highly regarded wines for every occasion, from single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons to unique, everyday table reds blended from Washington-grown Portuguese varietals.
Founded by Mike Martin in 2014, the Walls represents what’s next in American wine culture, where a love and respect of what’s classic intermingles with a passion for the eclectic. This sentiment is at the heart of The Walls’ family of wine and culinary experiences, including PÁŠXA Wines (The Rocks District) and Passatempo Taverna (Walla Walla).
