New Walla Walla Winery, Vineyard and Waterbrook Ad Campaign Signify an Exciting Evolution
Contact: Elizabeth Tveit, Public Relations Manager
SEATTLE, WA – 2008 marks major milestones for Precept Wine Brands. Just five years after its founding, Precept announced today that it has broken ground on Walla Walla Wine Works; a new, state-of-the-art winery in Walla Walla, Washington, completed a vineyard acquisition in Prosser and launched a multi-media advertising campaign for Waterbrook Winery.
“This time marks an exciting evolution for Precept,” stated Andrew Browne, Precept Wine Brands Founder. “Our hope since the beginning has been to build viable wine brands that speak to the consumer and allow us to invest the resources back into winery facilities and vineyards. Today, we are achieving what we set out to accomplish and it is an incredible dream realized.”
Waterbrook’s new winery, Walla Walla Wine Works, a 53,000 sq. ft. winery on a 70-acre site just west of Walla Walla off Hwy. 12 is expected to be completed by harvest 2008. The facility will produce up to 250,000 cases annually of premium Washington wines including Waterbrook (the flagship winery of Walla Walla Wine Works moving from its current location just a few miles down the road), Pendulum Winery, Shimmer Wines, The Magnificent Wine Company’s “The Originals” and other new premium wine ventures in the future. The production area, containing approximately 8,000 barrels, 55 tanks, a crush pad and bottling line will be managed by John Freeman; the talented winemaker behind Waterbrook wines for the last five vintages.
Included on the property will be a 5,000 sq. ft. Tasting Room and Visitors Center focused on consumer education of both Walla Walla and Washington State to reinforce why our region makes such outstanding quality wines. The Visitors Center, scheduled to open in December 2008 will offer private meeting/event areas, a large patio, catered receptions and a full retail Tasting Room to showcase the premium wines produced at the Walla Walla Wine Works facility, including exclusive wines only available at W.W.W.W. Well trained staff will be available at the Center to educate visitors about Washington wine and the wealth of attractions in Walla Walla. In addition, a fully-furnished, 3-bedroom guest house will be nestled on the property.
Mountain States Contractors, responsible for building Longshadows Winery and many other Washington winemaking facilities is working with NW Architect/Artist, Dan Kinkella of Tacoma, WA to create the modern and visually stunning facility. Every detail of Walla Walla Wine Works will be inspired by the Northwest, from architecture and design, to each piece of art and landscaping, led by Landscape Architect, Kevin Fletcher of Zone & Landscapes. Walking trails, fishing ponds and sprawling patios with panoramic views of the beautiful grounds and Blue Mountains, will allow visitors to experience the natural beauty of Walla Walla. Walla Walla Wine Works will also incorporate ecologically friendly practices and low energy usage to protect its valuable natural resources.
“Walla Walla has a huge national footprint in the wine industry and it’s important that we share its rich heritage with the public. We aim to create the ultimate wine tasting experience for all local wine enthusiasts and visitors from around the world,” said Browne.
Believing that great winemaking begins with the soil, Precept Wine Brands has created a new division of its company, Precept Vineyard Estates with a focus on viticulture, sustainability and working with contracted vineyards throughout Washington State. Precept recently purchased Canyon Ranch Vineyard (previously Snipes Canyon Ranch), a 500-acre property between Prosser and Benton City in the heart of Yakima Valley from Keith Klingele whose family has farmed there since 1989. Canyon Ranch is Precept’s first owned vineyard. Klingele has taken the position of “Director of Vineyards” for Precept Vineyard Estates and he and his family will remain in their home at Canyon Ranch Vineyard. Waterbrook winemaker John Freeman will work closely with Klingele and local growers to increase Canyon Ranch Vineyard’s acres from 150 planted to over 300. Current varietals planted include: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Syrah and Malbec while future plantings will include: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and potentially other new and exciting varietals. Although Precept Wine Brands will continue to source grapes from premium vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley, Canyon Ranch Vineyard will become a core contributor to its Washington portfolio.
“At Precept we believe that making wine is about the vineyards and the land; it’s about blending and crafting; it’s about the winemakers and the growers. That’s why we have great plans to continue to develop more world class vineyards in Washington State in the years to come,” said Browne.
The new vineyard marks Precept’s vineyard base in Washington wine country and with new facilities being developed on site, it will allow for in-depth research and development about Washington viticulture.
Finally, this year Precept has made a significant investment in the promotion of Waterbrook Winery with a dynamic advertising campaign focused on Washington State’s I-5 Corridor (Seattle – Tacoma). The campaign which runs from March through May and again in November to December includes television, radio, print and online media with the objective to increase brand awareness, trial, consumption and position Waterbrook as Walla Walla’s premium value wine.
“Waterbrook is the premium value winery from Walla Walla and makes outstanding wines that allow all consumers the opportunity to enjoy a great bottle of wine and not break the budget,” said Browne. “The Waterbrook campaign is targeted to wine drinkers who have so many choices out there and we want to remind them that the best wines in the world are being made here in Washington State, so go out and try a bottle of Waterbrook tonight.”
About Precept Wine Brands
In 2002, Precept Wine Brands committed itself to putting the consumer first through innovative winemaking, creative branding and quality partnerships with winemaking and viticultural teams in Washington and around the world. Over the course of five years, Precept has built over 25 brands, created 10 successful partnerships, completed acquisitions and sold nearly 600,000 cases in 2007, making it the 3rd largest wine company in Washington and 21st in the U.S. Precept’s wines receive overwhelming support from the wine trade and consumers alike and are recognized for their focus on quality and value.
The launch of Walla Walla Wine Works marks the evolution of Precept Wine Brands and signifies a celebration of its success and plans for future growth.