(Wines&Vines) - One small deal in the Walla Walla Valley AVA marks a major milestone for North Slope Management LLC, owners of Sevein Vineyards, and Betz Family Winery of Redmond, Wash.
North Slope announced the sale this week of 40 acres of land at its SeVein Vineyard site, on the south side of the Walla Walla Valley, to Betz, which acquired the tract for an undisclosed sum through V Squared LLC, a partnership with Kevin Brown of Siren Song Wines in Chelan, Wash.

The purchase gives Betz its first estate after years of contracting for fruit. It will develop approximately 24 acres of vineyard on the parcel, half of which will serve its own needs, and the other half will feed Siren Song.

Planting will occur in 2016, with the first wines not available until at least 2021.

“It’s a long-term play…but we’re willing to be patient,” said Steve Griessel, who with his wife Bridgit Griessel purchased the winery from founders Bob and Cathy Betz in 2011. “We believe that a few small strategic vineyards are very important for us going forward.”

Griessel considers the acquisition of an estate vineyard a “natural progression” of the vision for the winery, which has grown to produce 5,200 cases annually from its start in Woodinville’s industrial precinct in 1997.

Bob Betz, who continues to serve as winemaker, and the Griessels began considering an acquisition two years ago with a view to having more control over incoming fruit and the character of the wines it produces.