Columbia Winery
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wine production |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Founder | Former University of Washington professors |
| Headquarters | Woodinville, Washington , United States |
Area served | Washington state |
Key people | David Lake (former head winemaker), Kerry Norton (Director of Winemaking) |
| Products | Varietal wines including Cabernet Franc, Pinot gris, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Sangiovese, Viognier, Chardonnay |
| Owner | E & J Gallo Winery |
Columbia Winery is a winery situated in Washington state, originally established in Woodinville, Washington and presently owned by E & J Gallo Winery. The winery was founded in 1962 under the name Associated Vinters by former professors from the University of Washington. It rose to prominence when David Lake joined as head winemaker in 1979. Under Lake's leadership, Columbia became the pioneering Washington producer of varietal wines such as Cabernet Franc, Pinot gris, and Syrah. The winery adopted its present name in 1983 and moved to Woodinville wine country in 1988.
After David Lake retired in 2006 due to health concerns, Kerry Norton, previously with Covey Run Winery, took over as Director of Winemaking. In 2008, ownership transferred from Constellation Brands to Ascentia Wine Estates, which subsequently sold Columbia Winery to Gallo in 2012. The tasting room in Woodinville ceased operations at the end of 2022.
Vineyards
Columbia Winery obtains grapes from prominent vineyards located in Eastern Washington, including:
- Red Willow Vineyard-Yakima Valley AVA, which is the highest vineyard in Yakima Valley. Its varietals include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Viognier.
- Otis Vineyard-Rattlesnake Hills AVA, recognized as the first vineyard in Washington to plant Pinot gris and home to the oldest producing Cabernet Sauvignon vines.
- Wyckoff Vineyards-Rattlesnake Hills AVA, specializing mainly in cultivating Chardonnay.