Meet Kelly and JJ

Owners, Winemakers and Apprentice Vineyard Managers

After graduating as classmates from the United States Air Force Academy, Kelly and JJ began an exciting journey as Air Force pilots.  During their 15+ moves around the world, they loved exploring nearby wine regions and learning to appreciate great wines. In 2000, while stationed in Idaho, this passion led them to discover Walla Walla.  At the time there were less than 20 wineries in the Walla Walla Valley, an up-and-coming wine region increasingly known for its outstanding red wines.

Visiting several of the flagship wineries, they met some of the area’s pioneer winemakers and fell in love with the phenomenal wines and friendly, supportive attitude of the local wine industry.  Despite the Air Force life taking them away from the area, they would return often over the next decade, making several lifelong friends and eventually buying property on Mill Creek Road that is now their home and Estate vineyard.    

Their ALUVÉ journey could not have taken flight without the tremendous support of the Walla Walla wine community. Working harvest and crush with Dunham Cellars and Walla Walla Vintners and taking advantage of the Viticulture and Enology Program at Walla Walla Community College as current students forged an appreciation for the art, science and hard work required to create amazing wine. 

"We are grateful for the friendship and support of everyone at Dunham Cellars and the Appellation Management Group who helped us plant and cultivate our Estate Vineyard and guided us through custom crush production of our inaugural wines. As we transition careers to pursue our passion for great wine, we’re extremely excited to come home to Walla Walla and begin this next chapter of our lives—cultivating, creating and sharing world class wine. Kelly and I are fortunate to live, work and play in this very special place." -JJ