Betz Family Winery, About Us

			We've had one way of making wine since that first vintage, 1997: keep it small, keep it simple and keep it focused. In our first vintage we produced about 150 cases total; and we leveled out at 3500 cases a few years ago. We've limited ourselves to a quantity we can watch over, in the vineyard and the cellar. By working with selected, dedicated grape growers and employing methods that we believe craft superior wine, we hope to create wines of individual character, a blend of richness, balance and pleasure. Our winemaking focuses on the purity of the individual varieties and the vineyards they come from. We do those things that a small winery has the luxury of doing: we know every barrel.

			Bob Betz, MW Bob makes the wines here. His pursuit started in the early 1970's when he and Cathy criss-crossed European vineyards to better understand the why and how of crafting fine wine. His philosophy today is pretty simple: focus on what the vineyards have provided. Start with the highest quality fruit you can, treat it vigorously when necessary, gently most of the time, and stay out of its way but watch it closely. Allow the wines to develop slowly, and make sure they provide pleasure. Bob holds the degree of Master of Wine (MW), a designation awarded by the Institute of Masters of Wine in London. With a pass rate of about 12% it's a grueling process that's well worth the effort. The Institute of Masters of Wine promotes excellence and achievement in the wine industry. Candidates for the MW are required to pass the most rigorous testing in the wine industry which includes written theory and tasting exams. A graduate thesis on a specific winemaking topic must also be completed: Bob's focus was on the interaction of wine and barrels during the maturation process. In completing the exams Bob was given two additional awards: the Villa Maria Award, for the highest scores on the viticultural exam, and the Robert Mondavi Award, for the highest overall scores in all theory exams. Bob Betz Sunset Magazine's Winemaker of the Year 2007 "… the knowledge of an academic propelled by the passion of an artisan… … Betz helped establish the quality that put Washington on the map…"



			Cathy Betz Cathy is President of the winery. She was first exposed to wine while living in Lyon, France in the late 1960's with a wine-loving family. Her senses and interest were sparked by the sheer culinary excellence of the area and her French family. She learned that wine was always an integral part of the meal, even being served daily in the high school cafeteria. Since then she has traversed the vineyards of Europe and the US with Bob. Upon returning from Europe to the Northwest she worked in wine retail sales. Cathy manages the business of the winery: bookkeeping, government compliance and document shuffling. But these office duties can't keep her from spending time outdoors and with her grandsons.



			Carmen Betz Carmen shares her parents' passion for food, wine and travel. She has long had a wanderlust spirit and studied in Spain and Mexico, graduating from the University of Washington as a Spanish major. Her post-grad study was 6 months taking in the cellars and sites of Western Europe. She has been working for the family winery since 2003 and is currently Director of Sales. She plans and executes all sales, directly to consumers, to restaurants and wine stores in Washington and to our national distributors. Before starting with us in 2003 she held sales positions with Robert Mondavi Winery in California and with Columbia Distributing in Seattle. With her long exposure to the industry, Carmen has developed a strong knowledge of the world of wines and a keen palate. Her passions include her two sons, Jake and Bayden, and as a Seattle native, all the outdoor activity the Northwest has to offer.



			Tyson Schiffner, Assistant Winemaker Born and raised just down the street from the winery, Tyson pursued his artistic side from a young age. But with his work history he developed his mechanical abilities as well. Tyson pursued a Fine Art degree and Business Management at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Following college he returned to his hometown and started work at Redhook Ale Brewery in Woodinville, where he was bitten by the dynamics of fermentation. After two years of hands-on cellaring and filtering, he was promoted to brewmaster and spent the next four in the brew house constructing fine ales. His skills did not go unnoticed, and soon found himself working in the cellar at neighboring Chateau Ste. Michelle, where he eventually worked his way to Cellarmaster of the Woodinville winery's white wine efforts. Betz Family is the next step in his wine journey, where he is satisfying his thirst for learning and working on the development of red wines.



			Mandy Bossard, Customer Service Coordinator Mandy Bossard joined us at Betz Family in October of 2009. She had never before worked in the wine industry, but came to us with a willing spirit and a thirst for knowledge. Mandy is a native of Spokane, WA, and attended Eastern WA University where she studied Political Science and Philosophy. Shortly after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Government in 2006, she moved to Western Washington. Prior to joining the Betz team, she had held roles working for the WA State Legislature, and in asset management. In her free time she enjoys golfing, attending sporting events, spicy food and/or conversation, and great wine!



			Kathryn House “Kat", our former assistant winemaker, continues to help in the cellar on occasion while in the process of transitioning to a new stage in her life: motherhood. She and her husband are eagerly expecting a baby boy in March followed by a June move to Boise, Idaho where he has accepted a position as a chief medical resident. She plans to continue her wine career via teaching and consulting while enjoying time with her expanding family. Kat has become an integral part of the Betz Family over the past four vintages and we'll miss her and all she has done to help us craft our wines. But keep your eyes open: Kat has a long career ahead in the wine world.



			Carla Betz Also seen from time to time at Betz Family Winery is our younger daughter, Carla Betz. When not pursuing her career in LA as a rock star/actor, she joins the family for winery work and events. Carla loves red wine and often comes up with new insight and a unique way of describing what she tastes. She is also undefeated in family chess and scrabble games.



			Bob with his grandson, Jake.