Walla Walla’s Foundry Vineyards Celebrates 20 Years
and Announces Transition to Organic Wines
Siblings Lisa and Jay Anderson are keeping the vision of their late father, Mark, going strong at their Foundry Vineyards’ art gallery and tasting room in Walla Walla.
Foundry Vineyards — a boutique, family-owned winery focused on art and wine – celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year. The milestone serves as an opportunity to reintroduce Foundry Vineyards to the public as a low-intervention organic winery and highlight the recent evolution of its winemaking philosophy.
Since 2015, siblings and second-generation operators Jay and Lisa Anderson have led the winery, vineyard, and business operations. Every new generation brings thoughtful change, innovation, and fresh perspective. For Jay and Lisa, this has meant steering Foundry Vineyards towards more sustainable business practices and embracing climate-conscious systems.
The transition began in 2017 when Jay stepped into the role of Winemaker and introduced organic farming principles to their Estate Vineyard, Stonemarker. In 2019, Jay began using solely indigenous yeast in the cellar and launched “Pét Project,” a new brand dedicated to producing sparkling wines made in the ancestral method (aka Pét Nats). The year 2020 marked a significant turning point when Stonemarker received its USDA Organic Certification. At the time, it was the only Certified Organic vineyard in Walla Walla, Washington.
While the business will continue to evolve and innovate, Foundry Vineyards is excited to announce that in 2023, every wine released will be Certified Organic and reflect the low-intervention winemaking philosophy Jay has worked to establish. This year they will release more than a dozen individual wines, all made in this style.
“It has been a long road, and I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a little scary to change how we farm and approach our winemaking,” Lisa explained. “Though we knew this was the right decision for us, we had concerns about whether our customers would come along for the ride. Fortunately, we have been encouraged and supported by our customers’ responses every step of the way.”
Amid these exciting updates in the cellar and vineyard, Foundry Vineyards is still committed to remaining a destination for creative minds and artists in the region, as well as a premiere venue for community and private events. Their Seattle Tasting Room, which opened in the Fall of 2019, has become a fixture in the historic Pioneer Square neighborhood and participates in the longest-running established art walk in the nation. As Curator, Lisa will continue to feature thought-provoking art exhibitions at the Gallery in Walla Walla.
The Andersons extend a warm welcome to guests visiting Walla Walla and Seattle and invite you to taste the new wines and join them in one of their many events planned throughout the year in celebration. To stay connected, book a tasting reservation, attend an event, purchase wine, or learn more by visiting their website: www.foundryvineyards.com.
Upcoming Celebrations:
April 7 — Pét Project Release Happy Hour.
May 4-7 – Walla Walla Spring Wine Release Weekend.
June 1 — 20th Anniversary Celebration + Annual White on White Party.
July 12 — Pét Project Cocktail Party.
September 10 — Walla Walla Foundry Tour & Brunch.
November 2-5 – Walla Walla Fall Wine Release Weekend.
A Legacy of Art + Wine in Walla Walla
In 1980, Walla Walla natives Mark and Patty Anderson opened the Walla Walla Foundry, an internationally recognized contemporary art production facility still in operation. In 1998, the Andersons planted their Estate Vineyard, Stonemarker, on their home property. Foundry Vineyards’ first vintage was produced in 2003, with a custom label designed by artist Jim Dine to commemorate the family’s relationships with artists at the Walla Walla Foundry. This marked the beginning of their winery built on Art + Wine.
