Winemaking.
Established, trusted and highly acclaimed year after year, the Waterbrook winemaking philosophy underscores fruit-forward, varietally correct wines at an exceptional value.
Meet John Freeman.
Waterbrook Winemaker
Raised in Napa Valley, California, John Freeman began a lifelong wine career with seven years at Franciscan Vineyards and five years as cellar master at Miner Family. Intrigued by the growth of Washington state, John joined the Waterbrook winemaking team in 2003 and was promoted to lead winemaker in 2005; the second lead winemaker in Waterbrook history.
From vine to bottle, John carefully manages every step of the winemaking process to ensure overall complexity, balance and consistent quality. John’s passion is evident with his ever-present smile and optimism, and his winemaking philosophy is simple: Make the best wine possible. To that end, John has been deeply involved in designing and furnishing his “dream winery” since the construction of our new facility in 2008.
With his years of experience and natural talent, John masterfully approaches the unique qualities of each vineyard and vintage to produce highly acclaimed wines year after year.
Inside the Winery.
In 2008, Waterbrook constructed a brand new winery facility, and in the process winemaker John Freeman was given the latitude to appoint it with the best possible tools of the trade. Every luxury – from cross-flow filtration, a small lot basket press, to open-top fermenters – was afforded for long-term growth and continued high-quality, cellar-worthy wine.
Within the winery is an enviable barrel program. Our winemaker views oak as his “spice rack” intended to enhance the fruit, but never overpower it. American oak is primarily used for the Columbia Valley tier, where extended time in French oak is the preferred complement to the Reserve tier.
