After a nearly 25-year-run as a popular visitation and wine favorite venue, the Northstar Tasting room and winemaking facility in Walla Walla, operated by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, will be closing.
The Facility Will Cease Operations July 30.
According to the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, the company announced the Northstar operations will consolide to Columbia Crest near Patterson.
Northstar’s winemaker, according to the TCAJOB, will be leaving, the number of affected employees is not known.
According to the TCAJOB:
“The consolidation of operations is the latest move by the Wyckoff family of Grandview to better position the wine producer after buying all of its brands, facilities and vineyards in December, making it the first Washington state-based owner of Ste. Michelle in 50 years.”
The label’s production will be shifted to Columbia Crest, and a newsletter sent out indicated the wine will be available at a recently opened tasting room in Woodinville, WA.
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates first became a local fixture in 1967, with the idea that quality high-level wine didn’t just have to come from California.
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Gallery Credit: Liz Barrett Foster