Old World wines in the new World.

• Author: Smith, Alta
• Position: Waters Winery - Company overview

Among the newest wineries in Washington state is the Waters Winery, which has started earning a reputation in its short life for Old World-style wines. The winery, started in Walla Walla in 2005, was founded by Colorado Springs entrepreneur Jason Huntley.

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Huntley started his private asset management company, Huntley Thatcher Ellsworth Ltd., in Colorado Springs 10 years ago. After graduating from Point Loma College in San Diego, he moved with his wife, Kirschten, to start the company with a college roommate. His company now has about 160 clients and directly supervises $250 million in assets.

Jason says he and his wife love wine, but it wasn't until a client introduced him to collectible wines that he became passionate about Old World wines, even traveling to France and Italy for wine-tasting experiences.

The creation of a winery in Walla Walla began with Huntley's belief that the area, designated as an American Viticultural Area with-in the Columbia Valley, was "capable of producing some of the best wines in the world."

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A friend introduced him to Jamie Brown, the winemaker at James Leigh Cellars in Walla Walla, and the two learned they shared a passion for Old World wines. Huntley says he tasted Brown's wines and knew this was the style he wanted. With Huntley as founder and Brown as winemaker, the Waters Winery was born.

"Our winemaking approach is influenced by our preference for wines that express 'time and place' of their origin," Huntley says.

And since they believed in the adage that great wine is made in the vineyard, Huntley leased several vineyards based on their consistent quality of fruit and with full control over how they would be managed. He and Brown insist on sustainable growing practices. He also bought vineyards totaling 40 acres, some of which will surround their new winery facility, which opens this November.

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