2009 Washington Winery of the Year

Craig & Vicki Leuthold Owner's of Maryhill Winery After more than 10 years of Craig working for a Fortune 200 company in Spokane, Wash., selling plastic raw materials, and Vicki working for her own family owned business selling coffee, the couple exchanged their careers for a life inspired by their love of Washington wine and each other.  In 1999, they founded Maryhill Winery determined to share their passion and enjoyment of wine with others.  Craig and Vicki now oversee all aspects of the winery’s operation, with a strong focus on marketing and sales. The couple began what would become their lifelong career in wine by joining the North Idaho Enological Society in 1988.  Craig served as president while Vicki served as program director, and together, they met with winemakers and distributors from across the country.  Wanting to get their feet wet without quitting their day jobs (just yet), Craig and Vicki purchased a share in a small winery called Cascade Cliffs in 1997, just down the road from Maryhill.

Over the next two years, the couple’s love for wine flourished and they set out in search of the perfect location for what would soon become Maryhill Winery.  Knowing Washington was quickly becoming one of the world’s greatest wine growing regions, Craig and Vicki explored the state’s many wine destinations but kept coming back to the lower Columbia Gorge, attracted by the unique growing conditions and beautiful scenery.  Maryhill Winery sits on a cliff overlooking vineyard and orchards, offering awe inspiring views of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. Through years of hard work and determination, the Leutholds have achieved their dream of creating a true destination winery, having recently been awarded “2009 Washington Winery of the Year” by Wine Press Northwest and “Best Destination Winery” by Seattle Magazine. Craig and Vicki live at Maryhill Winery and enjoy traveling in their down time.

Craig’s favorite wine: Maryhill Winery Proprietors Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Vicki’s favorite wine: Maryhill Winery Reserve Grenache

Several of Batchelor’s wines have received recent accolades from Wine Spectator, including two 96-point ratings for Hall Winery’s 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Jack’s Masterpiece and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Kathryn Hall, as well as 95-point rating for the 2006 Exzellenz Sacrashe Vineyard Rutherford and a 93-point rating for the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain District.  He also previously served as the enologist and lab director at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Santa Rosa, and while back in his native New Zealand, worked at Sherwood Estate and Seifried Estate wineries.  Batchelor holds a postgraduate degree in Viticulture and Oenology, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Lincoln University in Christchurch.

Richard has quickly adapted to his new Columbia Gorge surroundings and loves exploring what an amazing place it is to live, play and work. (He’s even taken up the popular sport the Columbia Gorge is known for: kite boarding).  In his downtime, Richard enjoys golfing, hiking, mountain biking and travelling – basically enjoying nature anyway he can.

Richard’s favorite wine: Maryhill Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Our Amazing Staff

Maureen Lee
Retail Operations Manager

Moving from Portland and joining the Maryhill team in 2002 provided the perfect flipsideto working behind the scenes with the Beer & Wine Buying Department at Fred Meyer Corporate to the front lines of the selling department of a family run winery. Along with a history of restaurant management it was an easy transition to becoming the Tasting Room manager and merchandise buyer for the winery.

“There is so much I enjoy about the diversities and opportunities of working at Maryhill but the absolute #1 pleasure are all the wonderful people that visit us. It is especially wonderful when they become Wine Club members and friends. (Not hard to make friends when you are pouring them Maryhill wine)”.

Joe Garoutte
Events and Promotions Director

Joe Garoutte joined Maryhill Winery in August 2008 as the tasting room manager after more than 20 years of valuable sales experience, as well as owning and managing a restaurant. Recently Joe's role has been shifted to that of Events and Promotions Director.  At his restaurant, which featured a flavorful mix of cuisine from creative burgers to smoker-cooked prime rib, Joe served 15 different Maryhill Winery varietals and fell in love with not only the wine, but what the winery stood for.  Passionate about communicating this enthusiasm and the simplicity of enjoying good wine, Joe is responsible for promoting tasting room sales through customer relations, as well as coordinating events and is actively involved with advertising, marketing and website administration.

Joe is the father of four wonderful children and though he currently resides in Goldendale he spends as much time as possible visiting and spending time with them.   An avid fly fisherman, he also enjoys whitewater rafting and camping in the Columbia Gorge area and beyond.

Joe’s favorite vintage wine: Maryhill Winery 2003 Reserve Zinfandel

Matthew Ayres
Assistant Tasting Room Manager

As a child, Assistant Tasting Room Manager Matt Ayres grew up on his family vineyard in the Columbia Gorge, gaining valuable winery and vineyard knowledge.  With firsthand experience, Matt knows what the area has to offer both winemakers and winery visitors. This knowledge, combined with a passion for Maryhill wine, fuels an enthusiasm for promoting Maryhill Winery and its many nationally recognized wines.  Matt assists Joe in the successful management of the tasting room, including the daily supervision of the retail staff and ensuring exceptional customer service. 

Inspired by Maryhill Winery and its effort to provide something for everyone, Matt finds the winery’s atmosphere and attention to guests one of its most endearing qualities.  In his free time, Matt enjoys hiking, rock climbing and exploring the Columbia Gorge with his Alaskan husky, Dex.

Matthew’s favorite wine: Maryhill Winery Rosé of Sangiovese

Shyla Dawn Newton
Wine Club Administrator        

As wine club administrator, Shyla Newton manages Maryhill Winery’s ever-growing wine club, which currently stands at an impressive 900 members.  Shyla joined the Maryhill team in April 2009, but admits she has been an admirer of the winery for years and has enjoyed watching it grow.  It was this, along with Maryhill’s delicious wine and friendly, dedicated staff that inspired Shyla to become more than just a weekend winery guest.

Shyla enjoys the diverse nature of her work, which includes the development and management of club-exclusive benefits, features and programs; club event planning; as well as order execution and fulfillment.  She takes pleasure in recruiting new members and interacting with current Maryhill wine club members, all of whom have helped Maryhill Winery become as successful as it is today.  Outside of the winery, Shyla enjoys breeding and showing purebred dogs; she is treasurer of the National Bichon Frise Club of America and is active in the American Kennel Club.  A resident of Goldendale, she also enjoys jumping into the water, putting her master scuba diver certification and bareboat sailing license to good use with her husband, Rick.

Shyla’s favorite wine: Maryhill Winery’s Malbec