My introduction to wine came during my college years, thanks to my boyfriend’s family, who owned Grand Pré Winery—Nova Scotia’s very first winery. I was incredibly fortunate to taste and learn about some exceptional wines early on. But it wasn’t until the early 2000s that wine evolved from a casual interest into a true passion and area of study.

After my husband and I moved to Seattle in 1999, one of our first weekend getaways in Washington was to Walla Walla—and we were instantly hooked. The charm of the town, the welcoming community, and, of course, the outstanding wines left a lasting impression. In 2006, we were lucky enough to purchase a townhouse here, and since 2020, we’ve proudly called Walla Walla our full-time home.

As my wine studies deepened, I found myself increasingly drawn to Walla Walla. There’s something truly special about the wines here—the way the climate, soils, and passionate winemakers come together to produce bottles that are distinctive, expressive, and full of character. Whether it’s the structure and elegance of the Syrah, the boldness of the Cabernet Sauvignon, or the vibrancy of the white varietals, Walla Walla wines have a sense of place that I just can’t get enough of. I’ve made it my mission to learn everything I can about this remarkable region—its history, its terroir, the grape varieties being planted, and the incredible wines being crafted year after year.