Pepper Bridge Winery

The art of winemaking is truly alive at Pepper Bridge. The only gravity flow winery in Washington State, Pepper Bridge is a family-owned estate winery that uses grapes from its surrounding Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards. Focusing purely on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines, this small, high-end winery ages its wine in caves 38 feet below the level of the winery entrance. Available for you to tour, they bring a real sense of romance into every glass of wine Pepper Bridge pours.

A Family Affair

Pepper Bridge is actually owned by three families—the Norm and Virginia McKibben family, the Ray and Diana Goff family, and the Jean-Francois and Katherine Pellet family. Two of the families already have a second generation member working in the business, and many members have been active in winemaking years before establishing Pepper Bridge.

After serving as Chairman of the Washington State Wine Commission for four years (and as a partner in The Hogue Cellars and Chairman of the Board of Canoe Ridge Winery), Norm McKibben's dream was to start a winery that showcased his involvement in Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards. After asking Ray Goff to partner with him, he then persuaded winemaker Jean-Francois Pellet of Heitz Cellars in Napa Valley, California to move north to become a winemaker-partner in the new Pepper Bridge winery.

And just a little bit of history here. Named for an old military road crossing on the former Pepper Family Farm for vehicles fording the Walla Walla River between Fort Walla Walla and Fort The Dalles, the crossing became known as Pepper Bridge when the county built a bridge across the river.

A Tasting Room with a View

The tasting room was built in 2002 and its Tuscan style compliments the upscale, old world décor of the winery. Overlooking the vineyards against the backdrop of the beautiful Blue Mountains, it offers one of the best winery views in all of Walla Walla. With a wonderful outside deck and the entrance to wine caves nearby, it is one of Mardi's favorite spots in the valley.

3rd Generation Winemaker

The low production flow of Pepper Bridge allows the wines to be made by hand. Using grape varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petite Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, winemaker Jean-Francois Pellet's philosophy is to achieve an elegance with multiple layers of flavor.

Formally trained in Switzerland in viticulture and enology, this third generation winemaker draws on his deep experience in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and Napa Valley. His art consistently earns Pepper Bridge very high ratings on both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, including Wine & Spirits Magazine highest score for Merlot wine in the USA in 2001.

Arrange a Tour in Advance

The personal tours give you first-hand knowledge of a gravity flow winery operation and a real appreciation for their dedication to a "no shortcut approach." Included is a lecture in the caves on how oak barrels are used to produce elegant wines that showcase the terroir of their estate vineyards. Tours are gladly offered on a pre-arranged basis by emailing (info@pepperbridge.com) or phoning 509-525-6502 in advance. If you're short on time, you can go directly to the tasting room, and see why they describe their wines as "elegant."