News and Acclaim

 
by Paul Gregutt

Could Washington Redefine Cult Wine?

Traditionally, cult wines are those that are rare, generate high scores and buzz—and are absurdly expensive. Why Washington's high-quality wines at fair prices are changing the concept.

Leonetti Cellar, Quilceda Creek and Woodward Canyon are three of the founding fathers of the modern-day Washington wine industry. They began as home winemaking projects, the wines produced in garages and workshops, with the first commercial vintages released in the late 1970s and early 1980s—and they were immediately recognized as exceptional. Both Leonetti and Quilceda are now being guided by second-generation winemakers. These three family-owned wineries, with almost 100 vintages among them, were cult brands before the term existed.

The New Guard

These three wineries were all founded within the past 10-15 years and offer exemplary wines. But the wines are tough to find; they all have waiting lists to join their wine clubs. Look for them on restaurant wine lists or at a few savvy retailers. You can also beg, plead or grovel your way onto the mailing lists.....

Betz Family 

New owners are taking possession this summer, but veteran winemaker (and Master of Wine) Bob Betz remains at the helm. Impeccably wrought Cabernets and Syrahs inevitably land near the top of everyone’s annual “Best of Washington” lists.Could Washington Redefine Cult Wine?

Traditionally, cult wines are those that are rare, generate high scores and buzz—and are absurdly expensive. Why Washington's high-quality wines at fair prices are changing the concept.

 
by Harvey Steiman

Newcomers Buy Washington's Betz Family Winery
The Betz family will remain for five years, working at the winery they built from the ground up.

Betz Family Winery, which has produced some of Washington’s top-rated wines from its Woodinville cellar since its founding in 1997, has expanded its family. Steve Griessel, who owns the private equity company Insync in Phoenix, and his wife, Bridgit, purchased the winery this week for an undisclosed sum.

Betz wines have consistently scored among the best in Washington inWine Spectator tastings, most scoring in the low to mid 90s. Betz Syrah La Côte Rousse, made from Red Mountain grapes, earned 95 points for both the 2004 and 2008 vintages.

Bob Betz, who founded the winery with his wife, Cathy, while working at Chateau Ste. Michelle just down the road, has been seeking a buyer for more than a year. Although they entertained offers from several California wine companies, they chose the Griessels for their management savvy and to maintain a family aspect to the winery. The Betzes remain under contract for the next five years, with Bob responsible for making the wine.

“We needed to carve out some time for ourselves,” Betz, 62, told Wine Spectator. “Now we can just concentrate on the fun stuff, making wine, instead of talking to insurance agents and finding parts for the coffee machine.”

In 1997, Betz made six barrels (150 cases) while still employed at Ste. Michelle as vice president of enology research and education. In 2005 they moved into their current winery, which currently produces 3,500 cases per year, made entirely from grapes purchased under contract from some of the top vineyards in the state.

Griessel thinks that business model “makes tremendous sense,” adding, “The estate model has been very much a trend, but I like the idea that there’s a significant difference between being a grower and making wine.”

The Griessels looked at several wineries on the West Coast before meeting the Betzes. “We loved the combination of pursuit of excellence with really good financial discipline,” Steve said, “and the humility with which they approach the business.”

The Griessels, originally from South Africa, owned sports marketing and tourism businesses there. After moving to the U.S. nine years ago, he turned around several large but struggling companies and then sold them, most recently American Community Properties Trust in 2009. Last year he started Insync.

The couple plans to move to Woodinville this summer. “My wife and I are passionate about wine, been collecting it for years, traveling to wine regions and made friends throughout the world,” he said. “It’s always been a dream to get into the industry. We want to watch how Bob and Cathy do it, document the DNA of this business and live by the DNA of the business. Ten years from now I want Bob to look back and see his fingerprints all over it.”

Bob 2009 Rhone Intro

Steve AVA Intro

Bob Intro