Our Winemaker

Mike Sharon

Our winemaker and co-owner, Mike Sharon, has an exceptional record of achievement over his 25+ year career in the Walla Walla Valley. Mike started out working at Canoe Ridge winery in 1995, and in 1996 took a position at L’Ecole 41 winery where he remained through 2019. With Mike as winemaker L’Ecole winery achieved countless awards, accolades and high scoring wines, some of the highlights of which are: 5 times Wine Spectator “Top 100 Wines Of The Year”; 5 times Wine Enthusiast “Top 100 Wines Of the Year”; 15 times Wine & Spirits “Top 100 Winery Of The Year; The coveted 2014 “Best Bordeaux Blend In The World” International Trophy, Decanter World Wine Awards; The 2016 “Best Bordeaux in the New World” Six Nations Wine Challenge.  Mike was also named Seattle Magazine 2019 Co-Winemaker of the Year.  Currently, Mike is excited to get back to his roots as a small, premium wine producer at Freewater, and is dedicated to bringing you amazing wines from the Columbia and Walla Walla Valleys.