Double Canyon Introduces New Winemaker Jason Ledbetter

PROSSER, Wash., April 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Double Canyon, a limited production luxury winery in the Horse Heaven Hills region in Washington, is pleased to introduce a new winemaker, Jason Ledbetter.  Beginning in April, Ledbetter will oversee all winemaking operations, working closely with Vineyard Manager Will Beightol.  Ledbetter comes to Double Canyon from Pine Ridge Vineyards in Napa Valley, where he has worked as assistant winemaker for the past four years, playing an important role in the winery's recent successes.

"Jason Ledbetter's insatiable appetite for improvement in wine quality and style, coupled with his tremendous passion for Cabernet and impressive viticulture and enology credentials, positioned him as the standout candidate," said Erle Martin, CEO, Crimson Wine Group.  "His personal goals are perfectly aligned with ours for Double Canyon – namely to make world class Cabernets of distinction and style, accurately representing the soil and climate from the unique terroir from which they hail."

After receiving a bachelor's degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of California, Davis, Ledbetter went on to pursue his passion for winemaking.  He joined the Pine Ridge Vineyards team in 2009, following internships at Trefethen Vineyards and Cakebread Cellars, which he completed during his studies.  Ledbetter gained valuable experience working shoulder to shoulder with Winemaker Michael Beaulac at Pine Ridge Vineyards, where he has had the opportunity to work with estate vineyards in five distinctive Napa Valley appellations to produce high quality wines that are expressive of their terroir. 

At Double Canyon, Ledbetter will focus on expanding the Cabernet Sauvignon program, utilizing the high-quality fruit sourced from the estate vineyard, located in the heart of Horse Heaven Hills, adjacent to the renowned Champoux Vineyard.  Double Canyon debuted the inaugural 2010 vintage of Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon in select markets last year.

"I'm thrilled to be involved with this exciting new project," said Ledbetter.  "This is an incredible opportunity for a winemaker who specializes in appellation-focused estate Cabernet Sauvignon to be a part of a very special emerging wine region, known for its distinctive windswept dessert climate."

The Double Canyon property was acquired by Crimson Wine Group in 2005.  For more information regarding Double Canyon, visit doublecanyon.com.  For questions regarding the website or online sales, please contact [email protected] or 800.711.0044.

About Double Canyon
Established in 2007, Double Canyon Vineyard resides in the heart of the award-winning Horse Heaven Hills region in Washington State.  Double Canyon exclusively produces a limited-production estate-grown wine that expresses the individuality of its estate vineyard in this distinctive, windswept desert region.  For more information, visit doublecanyon.com.

Media contacts: Jenna Hudson, Lauren Jennings, Morgan Moore and Mimi Huggins, at Glodow Nead Communications, 415.394.6500 or [email protected].

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SOURCE Crimson Wine Group