“Wine brings people together,” says Joel Wright. “It’s always been community-focused in my mind, and I’ve always loved that.”

Wright is the new red winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington’s largest winery. At the Chateau, Wright will be responsible for Ste. Michelle’s Columbia Valley tier, Indian Wells wines, single vineyard estate offerings, and limited releases.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” Wright says. “I’m super honored.”

Wright was born in Idaho and grew up in the Tri-Cities and Wenatchee, Washington. His father sold nutrients for field, row crops, and fruit trees. Wright frequently traveled with his father on sales trips, with a territory that covered Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

“I’ve been to almost every town in Washington,” Wright says. “I loved agriculture [growing up]. I loved everything about it.”

After attending high school in Wenatchee, Wright earned a degree in chemistry from the University of Washington. He worked at Lafarge as an analytical chemist.

Wright’s exposure to wine came through his wife’s employer, who had a strong interest in the subject. Visiting Woodinville wine country, Wright met Aryn Morell, who at the time was winemaker at Matthews. The two discussed their shared science background. At a crossroads in his chemistry career, Wright threw out an idea.

“I said, ‘Well, if you ever hear of anything, let me know,’” Wright recalls. Six months later, Morell contacted Wright about a position at Artifex Wine Co., a custom crush facility in Walla Walla.

“I jumped at the chance,” Wright says.

Wright started working at Artifex in 2012. His responsibilities were focused in the laboratory. However, he took full advantage of the opportunity.

“I would stay after hours, after I was done with my lab work, and they let me sort fruit and do other things,” Wright says. That was when Wright’s interest in winemaking crystalized.

“The combination of science and agriculture, it just fit well with my personality,” Wright says.

In 2013, Wright interned at Guardian Cellars in Woodinville. He subsequently spent five years at the winery as assistant winemaker. “Jerry and Jennifer, [who own Guardian], we’ve become lifelong friends,” Wright says.

Interested in returning to eastern Washington, in 2018 Wright took a job as production winemaker at Pepper Bridge Winery and Amavi Cellars, two of Walla Walla Valley’s most respected wineries. He worked under director of winemaking Jean-Francois Pellet.

“I learned a lot from him,” Wright said. “He’s a pioneer in Walla Walla Valley.”

Wright was struck by the contrast between working in Woodinville, 100-plus miles from where grapes are grown. “Making wine in Woodinville, I’d only get over to the vineyards maybe two or three times a year,” Wright says. “At Pepper Bridge, all of the vineyards are within a 10-mile radius. It was pretty eye-opening.”

Wright subsequently spent four years at nearby Northstar winery, part of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates family. He worked two years as enologist and another two as assistant winemaker.

Now, Wright will take over red winemaking responsibilities at the state’s flagship winery. It will be a considerable increase in production, but Wright says Chateau Ste. Michelle’s approach will make the transition easier.

“Even though the Chateau is large, they still operate as a boutique winery with larger production,” Wright says. “There’s a lot of care given to how they produce all of the wines.” Wright will report to Katie Nelson, vice president of winemaking for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

Wright currently lives in Walla Walla but will be relocating to the Tri-Cities to shorten his commute. (Ste. Michelle’s red winemaking facility is in Paterson, Washington.) Wright recently earned his Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 certification and has an enology certificate through Washington State University.

Beyond wine, Wright enjoys cycling, running, and swimming, all in the interests of training for IRONMAN competitions. He and his wife have two young children.

“Between a job, a family, and training, that’s about all I have time for,” Wright says.

Wright takes over red winemaking responsibilities from Brian Mackey. Mackey was recently named winemaker at Dineen Vineyards in Yakima Valley.

Image of Joel Wright coutesy of Chateau Ste. Michelle

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