August 3rd – (Kennewick, WA) – Badger Mountain, Inc. today announced Steve Rothwell as its new Head Winemaker, effective immediately. In this role, Rothwell will oversee all winemaking for both the Badger Mountain organic and Powers wine brands at the Kennewick-based production facility.
“We are honored and excited to have Steve coming on board,” said Managing Partner Mickey Dunne. “His years of experience working with such a wide variety of wines, as well as his originality and his extensive experience with WSDA organic wine certification and compliance make him a perfect addition.”
“I am thrilled to be joining the team at Badger Mountain and Powers Winery,” Steve said. “My passion for innovation and creativity is what drives me as a winemaker, and I’m thrilled to be a part of a team that shares those motivations. Badger and Powers have been at the forefront of the Washington wine industry and organic winemaking for so many decades, I’m eager to build on the foundations they’ve laid.”
Rothwell comes to Badger Mountain Inc. after 14 years with Chateau Ste. Michelle, where he was responsible for maintaining WSDA organic wine certification and compliance while honing his skills working with a wide range of wines and production levels—from small experimental lots to large volumes. His passion for wine developed through natural curiosity and experience in multiple industry roles. He began with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates scaling trucks, which led to a desire to learn more about wine, and eventually to an enology intern position. He then worked his way up to winemaker.
An alumnus of Central Washington University, Steve lives in Richland and has two young children. When he is not making wine, he loves to dabble in woodworking, gardening, and travel.
ABOUT BADGER MOUNTAIN ORGANIC WINERY & VINEYARD
Badger Mountain Vineyard, founded by Bill Powers in 1982, became the first Certified Organic Vineyard in Washington State in 1990. The winery’s vision began with responsibility to the environment and extends to producing a completely natural product under the Badger Mountain label. Badger Mountain wines are made with USDA Certified Organic grapes and zero additives. With over 55,000 cases produced annually under the organic label, Badger Mountain continues to be a leader in the organic wine industry, which has expanded from national to international markets.
Accolades: 2007 Washington Winegrowers Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Bill Powers.
ABOUT POWERS WINERY
Founded by literal “Legend of Washington Wine” Bill Powers in 1992, Powers Winery remains committed to crafting concentrated, structured, and age-worthy wines while innovating and practicing environmental, community, and fiscal responsibility. For nearly 30 years, the 30,000 annual case production winery has been providing exceptional value that can be widely found throughout the United States, select Canadian Provinces, many European countries, and parts of the Pacific Rim.
For more about Badger Mountain Organic Winery & Vineyard please visit badgermtnvineyard.com.
For more about Powers Winery please visit powerswinery.com.
