Skip to main content
history_hero_header

HISTORY & HERITAGE

For many, knowing the history and background of the wine inside the glass isn't of the utmost importance. But, by coming here, you're telling us you'd like to know a little bit more about who we are and what we're all about. At Chateau Ste. Michelle, our award-winning wines interweave with our rich heritage to create a wine experience you'll never forget.

timeline_01

"GREAT WINE CAN ONLY COME FROM ITALY OR CALIFORNIA"

Or at least that was the misconception the Chateau’s founding fathers set out to prove wrong when they first broke ground years ago and pioneered the Washington wine region.

timeline_1912

1912

Built on the 1912 estate owned by Seattle lumber baron Frederick Stimson, the winery’s roots date back to the Repeal of Prohibition.

timeline_1967

1967

In 1967 under legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff, a new line of premium vinifera wines was introduced called Ste. Michelle Vintners.

timeline_1972

1972

The first vines were planted at Cold Creek Vineyard in Eastern Washington in 1972.

timeline_1976

1976

Four years later, Ste. Michelle Vintners built a French style winery Chateau in Woodinville, and changed its name to Chateau Ste. Michelle.

timeline_1991

1991

Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard planted in 1991.

timeline_current

2019

Celebrating more than 50 years of winemaking. Since then, we have combined Old World winemaking traditions with New World innovation. In fact, Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of the few premium wineries in the world with two state-of-the-art wineries, one for red and one for white. The whites are made at the Chateau in Woodinville, WA, while the reds are made at our Canoe Ridge Estate winery in Eastern Washington.