Andrews family, Horse Heaven Wine Company

Company will also open a McKinley Springs tasting room in Richland

Horse Heaven Wine Company (HHWC) has purchased the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE) facility in Prosser, Washington in the Yakima Valley. The company, owned and operated by Rob and Angela Andrews and other family members, will use the facility for custom crush clients, HHWC’s bulk wine business, and the production of its McKinley Springs wines. Terms were not disclosed.

“Our goal is to have our family business more vertically integrated,” says Justin Andrews, director of vineyard and winery operations at HHWC. “We outgrew our facility at the family farm and were looking at building. This provides a great opportunity.”

The Prosser building has recently been used to crush fruit for 14 Hands and other SWME brands. However, SMWE moved this work to its Columbia Crest facility after the 2022 harvest. SMWE will lease back its 14 Hands tasting room, which is located at the facility. SMWE will also lease office space.

“We will continue to own and grow our leading 14 Hands wine brand, and welcome customers to the tasting room,” Lynda Eller, senior director of communications and corporate affairs at SMWE, said via email. “We are thrilled that the purchase of the production facility, which we no longer used, will allow the Andrews family to grow their Washington wine business.”

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