Our History

Oregon Pinot heavyweight Ken Wright founded Panther Creek Cellars in 1986, establishing his reputation for making big, fruity, collector-worthy, Pinot noirs. He garnered significant accolades for his signature blends as well as single vineyard designate wines from Shea Vineyard, Temperance Hill, and Freedom Hill Vineyard.

In ‘89 Wright moved Panther Creek into McMinnville’s Power Station, and in 1994 Mark Vlossak of St. Innocent took over as consulting winemaker, cementing the brand’s award-winning style. After Vlossak’s run, winemaker Michael Stevenson and assistant winemaker Bill Hanson took the wines in a more natural, nuanced direction.

Then, in late spring of 2013, the winery was acquired by Bacchus Capital Management, a private equity fund investing in the wine industry, and Tony Rynders of Domaine Serene fame took over as consulting winemaker.  Panther Creek opened its Woodinville, WA tasting room in May of 2018.