Wy'East Vineyards

Wy’East is a popular name around Hood River. The high school bears this name; there’s a road called Wy’East; and, for cycling fans, there’s even the Wy’East Road Race. Turns out, the local Native Americans referred to Mount Hood as Wy’East. It’s also the name Dick and Christie Reed chose for their vineyard when they arrived in the area in the early 1980s.

The Wy’East Vineyards tasting room may be 5.5 miles south of Hood River, but it is a million miles away from the Reeds’ former lives. Prior to moving to Oregon, Dick and Christie were floor traders at the Chicago Board Options Exchange. They enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the stock exchange, but two catalysts brought about a change. First, they fell in love with wine (when it comes to fermented juice, Chicago is a sophisticated town). Second, they wanted a more rural setting to raise their three young children. Hood River, Ore., filled the bill.

Still, if you told Christie then that she would be moving to a farm, she would have told you that you are out of your mind. But the Reeds succeeded in transforming their lives. Perhaps it was their love of the outdoors (both are avid skiers and own a place in New Mexico where they ski) or simply satisfying Christie’s love of horses that made Hood River a good fit. But it was establishing Wy’East Vineyards and growing premium grapes that really cemented the decision for them.

Together with Steve Bickford, the couple launched Mt. Hood Winery. This gave them the opportunity to move beyond growing grapes to learn the wine industry trade. In 2007 the partners realized that they had developed different visions for the winery. As a result, the Reeds made the decision to amicably split from Mt. Hood Winery and start their own label using the vineyard’s name.

The Reeds’ goals for Wy’East Vineyards are to produce small-lot batches of premium wine, to be economically sustainable, and to have fun while they do it. Following the “small is beautiful” paradigm, they work with winemaker Alexis Pouillon, focusing on pinot noir, pinot gris, chardonnay, syrah, and cabernet sauvignon. When you visit the tasting room, budget time to purchase a glass of their Reserve Pinot Noir and mosey outside to the patio. There, as you enjoy the splendor of their gardens and the sound of a nearby waterfall, indulge your taste buds in the intense berry flavors of their reserve pinot. C’est bon la vie!