The Story
In the beginning months of 2001, Annette Bergevin and Amber Lane co-founded and created Bergevin Lane Vineyards with Gary Bergevin (Annette’s father). The goal for Amber and Annette was to “leave the rat race behind” in California and get back to what they each wanted from life. Annette wanted to be close to her family and long-time friends and Amber wanted to take on new challenges and continue her personal path of growth and education. Gary’s 20 years of experience in the wine industry in both the vineyard and business aspects, was the catalyst to start the winery. Together they brainstormed, worked hard, and brought to fruition Bergevin Lane.
Amber and Annette manage the daily operations including sales and marketing. If you visit the winery, you might see the girls with a broom/ dustpan in their hands or wrestling with a case of wine for delivery. Being owners of a smaller winery includes responsibilities that aren’t as glamorous as what they envisioned in their “dreams” but both will attest that they are doing what they love and love what they are doing….after all, there is lots of great wine to drink at the end of the day!
The winery officially opened its doors in May 2003 and is housed in a 20,000 square foot “modern industrial” building located in downtown Walla Walla. The Bergevin family’s roots run deep in Walla Walla, having settled in the are in the mid-1800’s. With respected history in the community, a passionate knowledge of the wine industry, and strong business savvy, Bergevin Lane Vineyards was born.
The Wine Making
Walla Walla shares the same latitude (46˚) as Bordeaux, France. The long, hot sunny days and cool night temperatures make for ideal growing conditions that produce ripe, structured wines. Our premium grapes are hand picked and sourced from approximately 12 vineyards within the Walla Walla and Columbia Valleys. The winery currently has 30 year leases – totaling 7.5 acres at Les Collines Vineyard and Ash Hollow Vineyard in Walla Walla. We have long term contracts with Stone Tree Vineyards in the Wahluke Slope, Alder Ridge in Horse Heaven Hills, Francisca Vineyard and Minnick Hills in Walla Walla, and noted vineyards in the Columbia Valley. Because we believe that to make good wine, you have to have good fruit, we work closely with all of our vineyard growers to ensure the utmost quality of our fruit.
Grapes are hand picked; hand sorted and fermented into five-ton stainless steel tanks that are pumped over at least twice-a-day or one and a half ton stainless steel bins that are punched down by hand three-times-a-day. All of Bergevin Lane’s wines are aged in new French, American, and neutral oak. Depending on the wine, our wines are aged between 10 and 24 months.
Winemaker
Head winemaker Steffan Jorgensen is originally from Denmark and brings to our team experience in winemaking from France, Chile, and Sonoma, Ca. Steffan "obesses" about the quality of our wines from vineyard to bottle. All of the day to day winemaking operations and production is under Steffan’s supervision. With his experience, palate, dedication, and personable disposition, he is a valuable member of our team.