THE FOUNDER. Associated Vintners, Corus Brands and Constellation Brands, Andrew founded Precept Wine in Seattle in 2003.

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Kristin Norris
5 years ago
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2 THE FOUNDER Andrew Browne, principal of Browne Family Vineyards, is the first to tell you he s a tastemaker, not a winemaker. As a curator of the brightest talent, best vineyards and the divining rod of winning concepts at Precept Wine, where he serves as its CEO, his groundbreaking feats across the wine industry carry through to his own family legacy in wine, Browne Family Vineyards. Known as an entrepreneurial brand builder in the wine industry, Andrew joined Southern Wine & Spirits in California in He ascended on a career path that took him back to his native Washington State, where his appreciation for the quality of the state s wine deepened. After forging lasting, industry relationships and serving leadership positions at Associated Vintners, Corus Brands and Constellation Brands, Andrew founded Precept Wine in Seattle in Browne Family Vineyards was 15 years in the making before its first vintage ever debuted. Andrew carefully and deliberately selected vineyards, winemakers and cellar masters committed to world-class wine production to represent the best of the Columbia Valley AVA. Inspired by the greatness of one man his late Grandfather, William Bitner Browne integrity and excellence are the standards upon which Browne wines are created. This is premium Washington wine, made with the utmost quality and enjoyment in mind.

3 THE INSPIRATION William Bitner Browne s passion, integrity and hard work ethic set a standard of excellence for generations to follow. These values especially impacted his grandson, Andrew Browne, as he founded his own enterprise and Browne Family Vineyards. Bitner spent a lifetime endeavoring to be of service to all. This super-achiever entered college at just 16. He later studied for a year in Bordeaux, France (where his love of fine wine ignited) and graduated with honors from Harvard Law School in War began just as his law career flourished. Bitner was selected to serve as a Counter Intelligence Task Force officer in the U.S. Army in both World War II (Metz, Germany) and again during the Korean conflict. His self-confessed intensity and restlessness after serving in the military was channeled into his law practice, community volunteer service, and family. Wine was a great source of enjoyment for Bitner. He savored the complexity of Bordeaux, a passion brought back from his law school days. He shared his joy of fine wines with his grandson, Andrew, just as he was starting his career in the wine industry.

COLUMBIA VALLEY Andrew Browne saw the potential in Washington State s talent and vineyards early on and dedicated himself to cultivating the best of the Columbia Valley.

In choosing the Columbia Valley for Browne Family Vineyards, Andrew realized the best of all worlds.

4 COLUMBIA VALLEY Andrew Browne saw the potential in Washington State s talent and vineyards early on and dedicated himself to cultivating the best of the Columbia Valley. Before launching Browne Family Vineyards, he spent 15 years identifying top-performing, legacy vineyards and building a team of winemakers and cellar masters committed to world-class wine production. In choosing the Columbia Valley for Browne Family Vineyards, Andrew realized the best of all worlds. Located on latitudes between 46 and 48 degrees north, with climates that are perfect for ripening wine grapes, both Washington State and Bordeaux share many similar attributes. The Columbia Valley, however, offers a bit more: it s reliably dry and brings none of the disease and rot that plague the Old World. With low rainfall (about nine inches annually), long and warm sunny days in the peak of summer, and a diurnal shift (day-tonight temperature differences of more than 40 degrees) that locks in acids for great flavor and balance, this largest and most diverse viticultural region in Washington State offers a full artist s palette of varieties for our winemaking team.

THE VITICULTURIST After growing grapes for other winemakers in the Yakima Valley for more than a decade, David Minick realized a longtime dream of producing his own wine with the opening of Willow

5 THE VITICULTURIST After growing grapes for other winemakers in the Yakima Valley for more than a decade, David Minick realized a longtime dream of producing his own wine with the opening of Willow Crest Winery in A third-generation Washington grower, David oversees his own family vineyard estate and hundreds of acres specifically for Browne Family Vineyards throughout Columbia Valley. By having control from vine to wine, David can monitor crop load, canopy size, sun exposure, as well as the balance of fruit and sugar at harvest time. He traverses Northwest vineyards overseeing canopy management, predicting crop levels and determining the next great vintages for Browne Family Vineyards. Through their longstanding relationships, Andrew Browne and David Minick have access to some of the most soughtafter vineyards in the Columbia Valley in addition to our own award-winning vineyards. This allows for flexibility among estates to produce exceptional wines year after year.

Our Columbia Valley Vineyards Yakima Valley AVA CANYON VINEYARD RANCH Known as a primary source for Browne Family Vineyards and a remarkably versatile vineyard, this Prosser area (Yakima Valley)

6 Our Columbia Valley Vineyards Yakima Valley AVA CANYON VINEYARD RANCH Known as a primary source for Browne Family Vineyards and a remarkably versatile vineyard, this Prosser area (Yakima Valley) estate at offers excellent air drainage, basalt-laced sandy loam soils, and grapes that impart minerality and deep fruit characteristics. The site of high-performing Malbec and Petit Verdot, the 300-acre vineyard has many plantings dating back more than 20 years, thought to impart intense old vine flavor. Canyon Vineyard Ranch is actually the marriage of two parcels: A remediated orchard purchased from Bob Stiles, the property s present caretaker, and a neighboring vineyard formerly known as Snipes Canyon Ranch. More than 20 wine grape varieties thrive here, with the most significant plantings represented by Merlot, Malbec, Chardonnay, and Syrah. This sprawling site also offers private wine country hospitality for visiting members of the wine trade. Yakima Valley AVA SKYFALL VINEYARD Located just a mile outside of the Red Mountain AVA, Skyfall is a 15-year-old vineyard and orchard with plenty of heat units well-suited for red wine production. It is the earliest ripening site for Browne Family Vineyards. In 2014 it underwent a 70-acre expansion after replacing many acres of pre-existing orchards for wine grapes. Reflective light and warm winds from a nearby ridge contribute to the big red fame of the area s wines. Now totaling 105 acres, plantings include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Dolcetto, Barbera, Petit Verdot and Riesling.

Red Mountain AVA TAYLOR MAG & KLIPSUN In the Red Mountain AVA, representing a moderately steep slope rising above the Yakima River, the appellation s loamy soil is high in calcium and ripens Merlot,

7 Red Mountain AVA TAYLOR MAG & KLIPSUN In the Red Mountain AVA, representing a moderately steep slope rising above the Yakima River, the appellation s loamy soil is high in calcium and ripens Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rhone grapes such as Syrah exceptionally well. Taylor Mag Vineyard utilizes a system of high-density planting and single cordon trellising to create fruit with a higher flavor concentration. Not far from Taylor Mag, the famed Klipsun Vineyard, established in 1982, is a 120-acre estate located on Red Mountain s southwest slope. Its grapes produce some of the most critically-acclaimed wines in Washington. Walla Walla AVA SUMMIT VIEW This is one of the highest elevation vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley, providing a microclimate of warm, dry and breezy conditions. The vineyard utilizes the most current technologies for crop monitoring and farming, while embracing advanced sustainable farming practices. Its top soils are almost uniformly wind-blown loess, a fine and light soil type low in clay resembling pellets. Its red varietals are thought to have generous, textural heft. Horse Heaven Hills AVA ALDER RIDGE VINEYARD Canyon Vineyard Ranch, Yakima Valley This 800-acre vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills is a bone-dry, sandy site atop a steep windy bluff overlooking the Columbia River. Elevation rises from 300 to 1,000 feet. Alder Ridge is known for its exceptionally long hang time and a moderating river effect on summer heat spikes and winter freezes. Red varietals enjoy tougher grape skins, resulting in suave but firm tannins and intense flavor. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Syrah are some of the more than 28 varieties grown on this estate.

8 WINEMAKING Exceptional wine always starts in the vineyards. Our combination of owned vineyards and unique grower partnerships throughout Columbia Valley s many sub appellations allows our viticulture and winemaking team the advantage of selecting the best grapes from any given vintage. Once the hand-selected harvest is in the care of our winemaker, wines are crafted in a state-of-the-art facility. Extensive French oak-aging for the red varieties feature wood turners such as Seguin Moreau, Le Grand and Treuil, while the Chardonnay is aged in Allier forest oak from Sansaud or Allary. Up to 15 unique owned and partnership vineyards to use as sources Basket press for small-lot fermentation and two-ton fermentation tanks Double hand-sorting tables Cross-flow filtration for gentle and efficient wine filtration Centrifuge equipment to quickly remove any solids for the purest possible juice An enviable, constantly renewed cache of fine French oak barrels, chosen to complement each variety and vintage

THE WINEMAKER The talent behind Browne Family Vineyards wines since its first vintage in 2006, winemaker John Freeman is known for producing award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit

9 THE WINEMAKER The talent behind Browne Family Vineyards wines since its first vintage in 2006, winemaker John Freeman is known for producing award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Chardonnay. Starting his wine industry career in his native Napa, California more than 20 years ago, Freeman is no stranger to bold Cabernet. In Browne he enjoys working with unique vineyards and aging the wines extensively in French Oak (23 30 months on the reds) mainly for texture. John s passion is evident with his ever-present smile and optimism. His winemaking philosophy is simple: Make the best wine possible. My goal is varietal correctness in each wine and to craft a great collection that will lie down and cellar for many years to come, Freeman says.

10 The Wine Portfolio Much like their proprietor, the wines of Browne Family Vineyards are unhurried, bold, focused and persistent. Known primarily for award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, a Bordeaux red blend and Chardonnay, the Browne Family Vineyards portfolio has expanded further to include Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc and Petit Verdot. Each year s very limited production brings a fresh opportunity to raise the bar. Every step taken is a careful commitment for uncompromised quality, assuring cellar-worthy vintages that stand the test of time. Guaranteed by Andrew Browne no exceptions! TRIBUTE RED BLEND CABERNET SAUVIGNON MERLOT CHARDONNAY PETIT VERDOT CABERNET FRANC MALBEC SAUVIGNON BLANC Press More than twenty critical scores of 90+ points CABERNET SAUVIGNON Points, Los Angeles International Wine Competition Points, Wine Spectator; 90 Points, Robert Parker s Wine Advocate Points, Wine Enthusiast Points, Wine Spectator Points, Wine Enthusiast; 90 Points, Wine Spectator CHARDONNAY Points, Wine Spectator; 90 Points, Wine Enthusiast Points and Editor s Choice, Wine Enthusiast TRIBUTE RED BLEND Points and Publisher s Pick, Tasting Panel; 92 Points and Year s Best, Wine & Spirits Points and Editor s Choice, Wine Enthusiast; Recommended, Washington Post; Seattle Metropolitan s Top Washington Wines Under $ Points, Wine Enthusiast MERLOT Points, Tasting Panel A lovely example of what Washington State can accomplish. Dave McIntyre, Washington Post From Andrew Browne, these are all well-made, classy wines that are worth a look. Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker s Wine Advocate I have watched the (Washington State) region develop from something with promise to a world-class region making tiers of wines with specificity, intensity, depth and character that stand out in a very crowded wine world. Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

12 Established

WORLD CLASS WINE FROM WASHINGTON STATE

WORLD CLASS WINE FROM WASHINGTON STATE FOUNDED IN 1984 IN THE HEART OF WALLA WALLA Waterbrook is recognized for producing wines that truly exemplify the outstanding vineyard sources in the Columbia Valley.