PAUL BEVERIDGE
WilridgeVineyard,Winery, &Distillery
Yakima,WA
Paul Beveridge (yes, that's his real name) was a young environmental lawyer when he started Seattle's original wineryWilridge - in 1988. When Paul "retired" from his law firm in 2007 to plant a vineyard near Yakima and pursue his winemaking dream full time, it was natural that the vineyard would be certified organic from the start. Says Paul, "I had two young children at the time and I wanted them to be able to play in the vineyard without fear of toxic chemicals." Since then, Paul and the Wilridge team have produced vintage
after vintage of award winning certified organic wines.
Wilridge Vineyard is located in the Naches Heights American Viticultural Area adjacent to the Cowiche Canyon nature preserve and has become a popular hiking,
July 2024
mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing and wine tasting destination. In 2016, Wilridge added a certified organic distillery to their winemaking operations. Paul attributes the success of Wilridge organic wines and spirits to the excellent growing conditions in Eastern Washington in general and Naches Heights in particular.
"We really do have the perfect climate for wine in Washington State. We don't have the disease and pest pressures found in other wine growing regions and we never have rain at harvest. There is
“I joined the TOPP mentorship program to encourage other vineyards and wineries to obtain organic certification.”
frankly no easier place to grow grapes organically in the entire world than Eastern Washington. I joined the TOPP mentorship program to encourage other vineyards and wineries to obtain organic certification. We have a great story to tell and a great product to sell."
