Marcus Rafanelli, Woodward Canyon by Richard Duval

Woodward Canyon, one of Walla Walla Valley’s founding wineries, has named Marcus Rafanelli winemaker. The move is part of a planned, generational transition at the winery.

“We’ve been working on succession planning for quite a while now, and this is an opportunity to complete that last piece,” says Jordan Small, general manager and co-owner at Woodward Canyon. “Marcus brings a great history of making high quality wines. We’re excited to have him on the team.”

Rafanelli will take over from long-time winemaker Kevin Mott. Mott joined Woodward Canyon in 2003. He became a minority shareholder at the winery in 2011 and has sat on the winery’s board of directors. Rafanelli will officially take over winemaking duties in mid-February. Mott and Rafanelli will work together on the transition.

“Kevin’s an exceptional winemaker,” says Small. “I’ve also been personally fortunate to be able to learn so much from him about the business side of the wine industry. We’re very grateful to him.”

Originally from Seattle, Rafanelli has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Boise State University. He also has a degree in viticulture and enology from Walla Walla Community College (WWCC). (Full disclosure: I am an adjunct instructor at Walla Walla Community College.)

After graduating from WWCC, Rafanelli spent almost six years as winemaker at William Church Winery in Woodinville, starting at the winery in 2008. William Church was best known for its exceptional Malbec and Viognier. Rafanelli subsequently worked harvests at Two Hands Wines in Australia and at famed producer Weingut Dr. Loosen in Germany.

Returning to Washington, Rafanelli became instructor of applied winemaking and viticulture at College Cellars in 2016. He was also cellarmaster there. College Cellars is Walla Walla Community College’s teaching winery.

For the last six years, Rafanelli served as winemaker at L’Ecole No. 41, Walla Walla’s third oldest winery. L’Ecole named David Rosenthal as director of winemaking last November. At the time, L’Ecole co-owner and managing winemaker Marty Clubb emphasized how highly he thought of Rafanelli, stating that the change was driven by L’Ecole’s own generational transition.

Now, at Woodward Canyon, Rafanelli will have the opportunity to put his imprint on another one of Washington’s oldest and most storied wineries. Ironically, Woodward Canyon also sits directly next to L’Ecole.

“What an opportunity,” says Rafanelli. “I’ve respected Woodward since I got into wine 20 years ago. They were the first winery I went to in Walla Walla Valley. I’m excited to continue telling that story, but I’m also excited for the next chapter.”

Woodward Canyon was founded in 1981 by Rick Small and Darcey Fugman-Small as Walla Walla Valley’s second winery. (Leonetti Cellar was founded in 1977.) The winery helped establish Washington as a location for high quality winemaking. Woodward is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Woodward Canyon is also one of a limited number of second generation wineries in Washington. Jordan Small, Rick and Darcey’s daughter, was named general manager in 2021. Sager Small, their son, serves as national sales manager. Both are co-owners of the winery.

Woodward Canyon produces approximately 5,000 cases annually.

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