Proprietor & Head Winemaker

Chris’ love for wine started in his youth, with extensive travel throughout the Grand Cru wine-growing regions of Europe and the west coast of the US. “I had to start off developing my palate and my perspective. How can you make great wine if you don’t know what that is?” After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado and University of Washington, Chris began his career as a wine merchant, working with several of Seattle’s best-known restaurants. This experience allowed him to hone his palate while tasting wines from around the world. For 23 years and counting as founding winemaker and partner of DeLille Cellars, Chris has crafted some of the finest and most award-winning wines in Washington State. In 2007 Chris came full circle and started his own vineyard and was able to create what most winemakers dream about.
 

“Here I can focus on one wine from one plot and one family with the hope that this will become a wine of generations to come.”

- Chris Upchurch