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Ambassador Wines
BENTON CITY
Founded on the simple belief that the experience of drinking wine is quite
unlike any other, Ambassador Wines of Washington began as an idea and
has flourished into an award-winning winery with a portfolio of enchanting
wines. The founding partners of Ambassador Wines of Washington set out to
focus on growing and selling wine grapes from their Red Mountain vineyard.
The land was purchased in 2004 and 2005, and yielded its first harvest in
2008. When it became apparent that the 2008 harvest would leave them
with an excess of fruit, the partners decided to make wine as well; the first
wine from Ambassador Wines of Washington was its 2008 Estate Syrah. The
founders like to say they got into the wine business "backward," taking the
more expensive and bolder approach to winemaking by buying a world-class
stretch of land on Red Mountain and only afterward focusing on bottling
wine. By approaching winemaking in this way, the team has been able to
control the quality of Ambassador Wines and maintain economically viable,
socially supportive, and ecologically sound practices.
Through a dedication to responsible land stewardship, the eclectic team has
created a delightful offering of wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet
Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petite Verdot, Syrah, and Grenache. Each member lends
his or her special skills and diverse background to the success of Ambassador
Wines. Vineyard manager, Dick Boushey—who also owns Boushey Vineyards
with wife Luanne—serves on the boards of the Washington Wine Commission,
the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers, the Wine Yakima Valley,
and other wine-oriented organizations. Winemaker Mike MacMorran put his
medical career on hold to pursue his dream of owning a winery and brings
FACING PAGE: Ambassador Vineyard on Red Mountain.
Photograph by Richard Duval
TOP LEFT: Ambassador's Managing Partners (left to right):
Mike Amato, Allison Engman and Michael Towers.
Photograph by Richard Duval
