Betz Family Winery

A Chicago native, Bob Betz moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1954. A year in Europe with his wife Kathy inspired a passion for wine and on his return to Washington Bob joined Chateau St. Michelle, working his way up to Vice President of Winemaking Research. Along the way he was mentored by André Tchelistcheff of Beaulieu Vineyard fame and was exposed to some of the most talented winemaking the state has to offer. Betz Family Winery began in 1997 with an offer by Greg Lill of DeLille Cellars of space in his winery. Here Bob made his first six barrels and the accolades started to roll in. In 1998 he earned his Master of Wine qualification (he remains one of the few MWs who are practising winemakers). 2005 saw the building of their own winery and Betz is now among the elite of Washington State’s producers.

Over the years Betz have finessed their selection of growers in specific vineyards to source fruit to meet their quality and stylistic goals. In each vineyard they collaborate on specific varieties in specific geographical sites, each identified for its specific combination of soils, aspect, sunlight and temperatures.
These vineyards are located in Horse Heaven Hills (Double Canyon Vineyard), Red Mountain (neither red nor a mountain) with Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun and Kiona vineyards), Yakima Valley (Bouschey, Olsen, Old Willow, Upland, Dubrul, and Elephant Mountain) and Walla Walla (Seven Hills, Sevein, Old Stones - in the Rocks).

Winemaking is obviously rigorously attentive with minimum of intervention and all wines are matured in French oak barrels. The style is notable for its elegance and (dare we say it) slightly European character combined with Washington power and concentration.