Times are a changin' at Chateau Ste. Michelle

One of the Northwest’s largest and most influential wineries is making changes to its leadership team. And there is word that it might be going up for sale.

Darel Allwine has worked for Chateau Ste. Michelle for almost three decades (and has a super convenient name for someone in the wine industry). He will be retiring at the end of the month. He says he started as a “cellar rat,” and that he’s proud to leave behind a premier wine created in the Northwest.

“Having our wines put on the map to be able to, you know, stand out with Napa Valley and Bordeaux and all the other wine regions in the world, I mean, it's been something phenomenal to watch," Allwine said. "And really for the Northwest wine industry, Washington and Oregon to really showcase that we can produce the really premium best wines in the world.”

Washington ranks second in wine production in the United States, with more than 60,000 acres of wine grapes. The estimated in-state economic impact is over $8 billion.

Oregon also ranks in the top five in wine production nationally.

Allwine has worked at Chateau Ste. Michelle for more than 25 years. More recently he has been head winemaker at Col Solare, a brand under Chateau Ste. Michelle. Stephanie Cohen, who has already been working at Col Solare, will take over, according to Wine Business.

For sale?

The Puget Sound Business Journal and The Seattle Times are reporting that Chateau Ste. Michelle is thinking about putting its Woodinville property up for sale.

The Washington Wine Report says the company listed the 118 acre property earlier this year, stating that it is a prime office redevelopment or residential space. But the price was not disclosed in the listing.

The Washington Wine report also said the winery plans to consolidate its wine production in Eastern Washington

Chateau Ste. Michelle is a KUOW business sponsor.