Washington State’s largest wine producer is entering a new chapter. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates—one of the most influential and historic names in American wine—is being acquired by the Wyckoff family, third-generation agricultural leaders from the Yakima Valley.
The announcement, made official on Ste. Michelle’s website, marks a transformative shift: for the first time in over half a century, the winery will be owned by a private family company rather than a corporate or private equity fund.
This acquisition includes the full portfolio of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, encompassing all brands, production facilities, and estate-owned vineyards throughout Washington State. Although financial details remain confidential, the wine world cannot ignore the context: in 2021, Ste. Michelle was sold by Altria Group to private equity firm Sycamore Partners for USD 1.2 billion. The repeated reference to this benchmark highlights the scale of the operation now returning to family ownership.
A Strategic Move Rooted in Decades of Partnership
The Wyckoff family is far from an unfamiliar name in the wine industry. For more than 40 years, Wyckoff Farms has partnered with Ste. Michelle, supplying wine grapes and collaborating on key viticultural and winemaking initiatives. Their holdings span vineyards in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon—particularly in renowned AVAs such as Wahluke Slope, Yakima Valley, and Horse Heaven Hills.
Court Wyckoff, CEO of Wyckoff Farms and Coventry Vale Winery, emphasized the significance of this long-standing relationship:
“Ste. Michelle has long been a driving force in the Washington wine industry. We deeply believe in its exceptional portfolio of iconic wine brands and look forward to investing in quality winemaking and championing Washington wines nationwide.”
This acquisition is not merely a business transaction—it is an alignment of philosophy. The Wyckoffs are known for agricultural excellence, sustainability, and generational stewardship, values that resonate with Ste. Michelle’s winemaking legacy.
A Warm Welcome from Ste. Michelle Leadership
Ste. Michelle’s leadership expressed enthusiasm about joining forces with a family deeply rooted in the local winegrowing community.
David Bowman, co-CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, highlighted the synergy:
“Our team is thrilled to welcome a family-owned company with deep roots in Washington winemaking, one that shares our vision of sustainable growth and uncompromising quality.”
Co-CEO Anna Mosier further underscored the importance of this transition:
“Like our winemaking partners across the state, we will now be a family-owned company committed to long-term decisions that strengthen Ste. Michelle and the Washington wine industry.”
This sentiment reflects a pivotal shift from short-term, profit-focused private equity ownership to long-term, land-based investment—a change many in the wine community view positively.
A Legacy Spanning More Than 90 Years
Founded in 1933, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is widely recognized as Washington State’s first premium winery. Over the decades, it has played a fundamental role in putting the region on the global wine map, thanks to its commitment to quality, innovation, and terroir-driven wines.
The company sustainably cultivates 2,200 acres of estate-owned vineyards and has built a portfolio that includes some of the most respected brands in the Pacific Northwest:
Washington State
- Chateau Ste. Michelle
- 14 Hands
- Columbia Crest
- Northstar
- Eroica (in partnership with Dr. Loosen)
- Spring Valley Vineyard
Oregon
- A to Z Wineworks
- Erath
- Rex Hill
This extensive portfolio reaches millions of consumers each year, making Ste. Michelle one of the most important ambassadors for American wine.
A Turning Point for Washington Wine
The acquisition by the Wyckoff family is more than a change of ownership—it is a signal of renewed local stewardship at the highest level of Washington’s wine industry.
The transition:
- reinforces regional identity,
- strengthens long-term investment in vineyard health and sustainability,
- and aligns the company with family values connected to the land.
As the Washington wine market continues to evolve amid shifting consumer preferences and global competition, the leadership and stability offered by the Wyckoff family may usher in a new era of strategic growth and quality-driven innovation.
One thing is certain: Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is poised to remain a cornerstone of American winemaking, now with deeper roots than ever.
Source: WineNews