Cougar Crest Winery

The husband and wife team behind Cougar Crest Winery, Dave and Deborah Hansen, came into winemaking through a roundabout journey. While both were raised in Washington and trained in the medical profession, their careers took them to California for 20 years.

While living in California they became interested in grape growing and wine production. This interest grew into a passion around the time they started raising a family, and they decided to return to their roots in Washington, where they purchased apple orchards in the Walla Walla Valley.

Transitioning from Apples to Grapes

Branching out from apples, the Hansens planted wine grapes in the mid-1990's. Within a few years they launched into professional winemaking and opened their first winery in 2001 in a refurbished building at the Walla Walla airport. From the start, Deborah was the winemaker and Dave managed the vineyards, while acting as winery's Chief of Engineering.

A pharmacist by training, Deborah has adopted the medical adage, "First, do no harm" to her winemaking. She believes that minimal manipulation to achieve a balance of alcohol, fruitiness, acidity, and tannins, plus aging in barrels selected for their flavors, brings out the best in grapes. Seeing winemaking as a science but blending as an art, Deborah conducts careful blending trials to ensure Cougar Crest delivers the best wine possible.

Award Winning Right from the Start

In her very first year of professional winemaking, Deborah's 2001 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon won Best Cabernet of the Show at the L.A. County fair, the oldest and most prestigious wine competition in the United States. This has never been accomplished by any other winery in Washington.

The following year, her 2002 Estate Grown Syrah was in the Top 100 Wines of the World. More awards followed for the 2003 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which were recognized by the Wine Spectator as two of the top 20 Cabernets in Washington State. Most recently, in 2007, her 2003 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was recognized as one of the Top 10 Cabernets in the state.

With so many accolades, the Hansens are most proud of the red table wine "Dedication," of which a portion of the proceeds are donated to Doernbecher Childrens Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

Eco-Friendly Winery Graces the Land

In spring of 2008, the Hansens began welcoming visitors daily into their handsome new 13,000 square foot winery (call in advance for tours). Built in the prairie style architecture, its horizontal design contrasts beautifully with the rolling hills of wheat surrounding the 3-acre rural setting. A $3.2 million "green" facility, it's constructed with a recycled building material known as Rastra blocks.

Inside, the geometric lines, warm harvest colors, and abundant natural light from the soaring 19-foot cupola in the tasting room are awe-inspiring. Hanging from the cupola is a stunning metal and glass mobile created by local artist Jeffrey Hill. Also on permanent display are works of art from the international glass and metal artist Karen Ehart.

With warm, glowing woodwork, a natural stone fireplace and a bird’s eye view of the working part of the winery, the setting creates an especially engaging experience for wine lovers.