A Woodinville winemaker has acquired a storied Walla Walla winery along with two of its vineyards. 

Gramercy Cellars of Walla Walla will continue operating under its own name and label after joining the Avennia wine family. The acquisition brings numerous strengths to Woodinville-based Avennia, from Gramercy’s highly rated wines and prized vineyards to one of the most loyal direct-to-consumer customer bases in the wine industry, according to a release. 

“We have admired this winery and its people for a long time,” said Marty Taucher, co-founder of Avennia, in a statement. “This is a stewardship decision as much as a business one.” 

Gramercy was founded by Greg Harrington 20 years ago after a career as a wine director at several prestigious restaurants. He has developed a strong reputation for the winery’s red and select white wines produced from its own vineyards and others in the Columbia and Walla Walla valleys.  

Avennia was founded in 2009 and produces Old World-inspired wines from premier Washington vineyard sites including Red Willow, Boushey, Bacchus and Dionysus. Its family of labels includes Liminal and Lydian. 

The two vineyards that come as part of the deal are Forgotten Hills Vineyard, located at the base of the Blue Mountains, and Gramercy’s interest in Octave Vineyard, located on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley. 

“Gramercy Cellars is one of the wineries that compelled the rest of the country to take Washington seriously,” said Chris Peterson, co-founder and director of winemaking at Avennia, in a statement. “Greg created and developed this winery with his own unique voice. Our job is not to change or re-invent his vision, but rather to provide him and his team with the resources and support necessary to continue taking this project to new heights.”