Chateau Ste. Michelle Promotes Joel Wright as Red Winemaker
Woodinville, Wash.
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington’s founding winery, has promoted Joel Wright to Red Winemaker as it continues its nearly 60-year legacy of creating world-class wines that highlight the distinctive character of Washington’s Columbia Valley. Wright will oversee the winery’s extensive award-winning red wine portfolio including the Columbia Valley tier, Indian Wells wines, Single Vineyard estate wines and Limited Release high tier wines. Wright will report to Katie Nelson, Vice President Winemaking for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.
Born and raised in Eastern Washington, Wright brings with him over a decade of diverse winemaking experience and a deep-rooted passion for Washington wine. Wright joined Ste. Michelle in 2021 at its Northstar winery in Walla Walla initially as an enologist and later as assistant winemaker and is eager to leverage his luxury wine experience with Ste. Michelle’s flagship winery.
“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to have access to best-in-class winemaking resources, work with some of the finest fruit in the state, and showcase the highest quality wine in every bottle,” said Wright. “My career has been centered around ultra-luxury boutique wine brands, and I’m excited to bring that experience and perspective to Chateau Ste. Michelle’s red winemaking program.”
“Although I’ve worked with many grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals from Washington’s Columbia Valley has been a focus for my entire career,” adds Wright. “I’ve worked with Cabernet from all over the state including the White Bluffs, Horse Heaven Hills, Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain, Wahluke Slope, Yakima Valley, and of course the Columbia Valley. Because of my work with multiple wineries and different sites I have a great appreciation of all that Columbia Valley has to offer and how varied our reds can be from different AVAs, which is essential when blending from so many distinctive sites.”
Prior to joining Northstar, Wright worked at Pepper Bridge Winery for three years as production winemaker, overseeing operations for both Pepper Bridge and its sister winery, Amavi Cellars. He also spent five years at Guardian Cellars as assistant winemaker playing a key role in doubling the winery’s production and launching its second label, Newsprint Wines. Wright’s first harvest was in 2012 at Artifex Wine Co. starting in the laboratory and quickly expanding his focus to all facets of winemaking. Joel holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Washington, completed the Enology Certificate Program through Washington State University, and recently earned his earned his WSET Level 3 certification.
An Enhanced Focus on Quality“Joel combines technical expertise with creative vision,” said Katie Nelson, Vice President of Winemaking, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. “His promotion reinforces our commitment to quality and winemaking practices that reflect a boutique winery mindset, at a larger scale.”
The winery’s efforts to continue to elevate quality include increased investment of small oak barrels for aging and increased time in cellar to enhance complexity. In the vineyards, Ste. Michelle has been refining its focus to match the best sites for each variety and climate, to make the highest quality wines for customers to enjoy.
“Chateau Ste. Michelle is unique in the world of wine, serving customers ranging from new wine drinkers to seasoned collectors,” adds Wright. “For many people, Chateau Ste. Michelle is their first encounter with Washington wine — it sets the standard and shapes their expectations for the region. Because of our extensive range of offerings at every price point we not only get to be their inaugural wine experience but also remain a staple in their cellar as they continue their wine journey.”
Wright enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, and when he’s not in the vineyard or cellar, he can be found cycling, running, and swimming to train for his next triathlon and IRONMAN competition.
“Every swim, ride, or run is an opportunity to push a little harder, be a little faster, and improve over the last time,” explains Wright. “In that way, it mirrors how I approach winemaking — every vintage is a chance to improve, refine, and push the craft further.”
About Chateau Ste. Michelle
Chateau Ste. Michelle founded a wine region and we’re not done blazing trails yet. We honor our nearly 60-year legacy of making world-class Washington wine, while taking bold steps to build our future with 2,000 acres of sustainably-farmed estate vineyards, state-of-the art cellar technology and talented, passionate winemaking team led by head winemaker Katie Nelson, with 30 years of Washington winemaking experience. Chateau Ste. Michelle continually strives to delight wine drinkers with an array of wine styles and immersive winery experiences and events, while staying focused on crafting award-winning, flavorful wines that are the ultimate expressions of Washington state. For more information, visit ste-michelle.com.
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For further information:
Lynda Eller
lynda.eller@smwe.com
