Wade Wolfe received a B.S. degree in Biochemistry in 1971 and a Ph. D. in Plant Genetics in 1976, both from the University of California at Davis. While at Davis he completed course work in viticulture and enology and a Ph. D. thesis on grape genetics. Between 1976 and 1978 he was the Research Viticulturist and Enologist at the University of Arizona for a wine grape feasibility study in the Southwest.
In 1978 he joined Chateau Ste. Michelle as Technical Viticulturist and became Director of Vineyard Operations in 1983. In 1985 he left Ste. Michelle to pursue a vineyard consulting business. In 1987 Wade and his wife Becky founded Thurston Wolfe Winery. In 1991 he joined Hogue Cellars as Viticulturist and became General Manager in 1996.
In 1978 he joined Chateau Ste. Michelle as Technical Viticulturist and became Director of Vineyard Operations in 1983. In 1985 he left Ste. Michelle to pursue a vineyard consulting business. In 1987 Wade and his wife Becky founded Thurston Wolfe Winery. In 1991 he joined Hogue Cellars as Viticulturist and became General Manager in 1996.
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Vineyards
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Thurston Wolfe's grape sourcing is based on Wade's 40 years experience working with Washington State's grape growers and vineyards. As the grape buyer first for Ste. Michelle in the 1980's and later at Hogue Cellars in the 1990's, he gained invaluable knowledge about the growing regions as well as the skill of the growers and quality of fruit.
Crawford Vineyard
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This vineyard is located north of Prosser and is owned by Charlie and Connie Crawford. Again this relationship dates back to the late 1970's when Wade worked for Ste. Michelle. Currently we source three varieties from this vineyard, Pinot gris, Lemberger (or Blaufrankisch) and Albarino. The Pinot gris is used in our flagship white wine, PGV, which is a blend of Pinot gris and Viognier.
McKinley Springs Vineyard
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Located 14 miles north of Alderdale, Mckinley Springs is a large vineyard originally started by Robert Andrews in the 1980's and is now owned by his son Rob Andrews and Rob's brother-in-law Doug Rowell. Wade first worked with Rob in the mid 1980's when he was a vineyard consultant and later renewed this relationship after joining Hogue Cellars in the 1990's as their grape buyer.
Upland Vineyards
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The Upland Vineyard is located in the Snipes Mountain sub-AVA of the Yakima Valley near the city of Sunnyside. It is owned by the Newhouse family and it has of some of the oldest vines in the state. Our relationship with the Newhouse family dates back to 1978 when Wade was the grape buyer for Ste. Michelle.
Double Canyon
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This vineyard is located six miles north of Alderdale and is owned and managed by the Crimson Wine Group out of California. Developed in the mid 2000's, it is the source of Petit Verdot used in our Bordeaux blend, The Geologist, and of Cabernet Sauvignon used in our Cabernet blend, The Teacher. Because of higher elevation, this is a slightly cooler and later ripening site compared to Zephyr Ridge and Destiny Ridge vineyards.
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