Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is closing its Northstar winemaking facility and tasting room in Washington state.
The facility in Walla Walla is due to shut by the end of this month.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
In a statement to Just Drinks, the company said production of Northstar wines will move to the group’s “dedicated reserve cellar” at its Columbia Crest winery in Paterson, Washington.
“The premium quality and style of Northstar wines will remain consistent, with continued sourcing from top vineyards and AVAs across the Columbia Valley,” the statement read.
Northstar wines will continue to be available at the new Northstar Tasting Salon at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, as well as through the company’s wine club and online.
Asked why the facility is being closed, the company told Just Drinks the “decision was strategically driven due to the ability to gain necessary efficiencies and invest in other key strategic initiatives.”
Ste. Michelle did not say how many jobs would be affected by the move.
“We are grateful to the team members who have contributed to Northstar’s success over the years, including winemaker David ”Merf’ Merfeld for his decades of leadership and dedication,” the statement read.
Earlier this year, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates named David Richardson as its CEO, its second chief executive appointment in four months.
He succeeded David Bowman, who had been appointed CEO in January, a month after the Wyckoff family acquired Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ operations in Washington state from Sycamore Partners. The private-equity firm kept Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ assets in Oregon as part of the deal.
The transaction covered the company’s wine brands, vineyards and production facilities in Washington.
Sycamore Partners bought Ste. Michelle from US multinational Altria Group in 2021.
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ brands include Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14 Hands, Columbia Crest, Liquid Light, Estival, Ethos, Spring Valley Vineyard, and Northstar.
The private-equity company has retained Ste. Michelle’s Oregon holdings A to Z, Erath, and Rex Hill. That business continues to be led by Amy Prosenjak.
