Walla Walla Valley Winery’s Estate Property Receives USDA Organic Certification
August 20, 2025 (Walla Walla Valley, WA) — As harvest season approaches, Jett announces that its 61-acre Skysill Vineyard has achieved USDA organic certification through the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Organic Certification Program, marking a significant milestone in Jackson Family Wines’ first vineyard investment in Washington.
Positioned at 1,500 feet elevation in the Mill Creek district where rolling foothills meet the Blue Mountains, Skysill Vineyard comprises 40 planted acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay, with recent additions of Syrah and Viognier. Originally developed and planted in 2016, the vineyard was acquired by Jackson Family Wines in 2022 with the specific intention of converting to organic farming. The company implemented practices including minimal till cultivation, sheep grazing, bird boxes, integrated pest management with beneficial insects, permanent cover crops, and compost application.
“Achieving organic certification at Skysill Vineyard represents our deeper commitment to a long-term vision for the land we have the privilege of farming and the communities we operate in,” said senior winemaker Chris Carpenter. “This begins with an acknowledgement that we need to work in tandem with the natural world, not against it. Organic farming is one of many key practices within Jackson Family Wines that ensure we are doing just that—respecting the land while crafting wines that truly express their place of origin.”
The WSDA Organic Certification Program serves as a USDA-accredited certification agent, ensuring adherence to strict standards that prohibit synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetic engineering. This milestone builds on Jackson Family Wines’ industry leadership in sustainable viticulture, following the recent organic certification of approximately 480 acres in Napa Valley through CCOF and furthering the company’s Rooted for Good: Roadmap to 2030 sustainability initiative.
Skysill Vineyard serves as the foundation for Jett’s single-vineyard wines, with the inaugural 2021 Skysill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon released in Fall 2024. “Achieving organic certification for Skysill represents our deeper purpose of farming with keen awareness of the dynamics that form this unique place,” said lead winemaker Gianna Ghilarducci. “The vines are grown organically as a foundation for fruit that truly reflects where it is growing. We’re looking for authenticity, energy, and harmony in each wine.”
Crafted from newly certified organic fruit, Jett’s wines are expansive and energetic, with a warm savory thread, bright fruit, and structural tannin, highlighting the distinct terroir of the Mill Creek District through sustainable farming practices.
About Jett
Founded in 2021, Jett is a Washington winery focused on producing wines that reflect the expansiveness and density of the sunlight and hills in southeastern Washington State, where the colder, rainier edge of the Walla Walla Valley meets the Blue Mountains. Under the direction of lead winemaker Gianna Ghilarducci, Jett crafts limited-production wines from its estate Skysill Vineyard in the Mill Creek district, as well as select sites in Red Mountain and Horse Heaven Hills. For more information, visit www.jettwines.com.
