Winemaker Chris Peterson tells people that the success of this venture — which began in 2010 — is the result of two people with complementary skills who met at a fortuitous time. Chris had the winemaking skills, after many years working at DeLille Cellars. He started the Avennia project with Marty Taucher, a local executive who wanted to branch out into the wine trade.

Marty graduated from Oregon State University in 1977 and started working at Microsoft in 1984. He led their public relations and event marketing teams for 10 years and his work involved a lot of travel around the world. During those travels, his interest in wine and winemaking grew. He still enjoys seeking out new vintners and wine styles from all over the world.

Chris graduated from the University of Washington, and then became the first graduate of Walla Walla Community College’s Enology and Viticulture program. Later he taught classes on wines of the world.

Chris has traveled to all the major wine growing regions of France, Tuscany and Sicily where regional wine, vineyard tours and relationships with other winemakers inspired his winemaking practices.

Eventually, he worked at DeLille Cellars at Woodinville and spent seven years helping make some of Washington state’s most heralded and award-winning wines.

With great sources and a great team, Avennia is fast becoming well-known in the world of Washington wines.

Avennia website