Chinook
Chinook Wines is a family-owned artisan winery in Prosser, Washington, founded in 1983 by Kay Simon and Clay Mackey, producing a limited portfolio of minimally processed Yakima Valley dry wines sold through a tasting room, regional distributors, retail partners, and direct shipping.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersProsser, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Chinook does
Chinook Wines is a small, privately held artisan winery founded in 1983 and based in Prosser, Washington, within the Yakima Valley AVA. The company is co-owned and operated by married partners Kay Simon (winemaker, UC Davis enology graduate, 1976) and Clay Mackey (viticulturist), with assistance from family members at the tasting room. Headcount is 1–10, consistent with a founder-operated micro-winery. The portfolio comprises a tightly scoped lineup of dry wines — Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, a Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay blend (Yakima Valley White), Cabernet Franc Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Cab Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon/Grenache blend (Yakima Valley Red) — with Semillon discontinued. Production relies on hand-harvested, minimally processed fruit sourced from the estate Cabernet Franc vineyard (planted 1990) and long-term grower relationships within roughly 15 miles of the winery, including Boushey Vineyards and Lonesome Spring Ranch.
Winemaking is traditional and low-intervention: stainless steel fermentation for whites, neutral oak aging for reds, French oak for select Cabernets, and hand-sorting of incoming fruit. There is no proprietary technology platform; the differentiation rests on craft technique, terroir, and consistency rather than process automation or data systems.
Chinook generates revenue through four channels: (1) direct tasting-room sales in Prosser, open seasonally May–October on weekends plus curbside pickup and appointments, (2) wholesale distribution via self-distribution in King County/NW Washington and third-party distributor Vehrs Inc. across Eastern/SW Washington, Northern Idaho, and Oregon, (3) retail partnerships including PCC Natural Markets, and (4) direct shipping within Washington State and to California under a California shipping permit. Bottle prices range from $13.99 (Yakima Valley White) to $27.99 (Cabernet Sauvignon). Restaurant placements with Tom Douglas restaurants, Ray's Boathouse, Monsoon East, Maximilien, and others serve as mid-funnel demand drivers rather than anchor revenue streams.
Chinook firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Chinook
- Legal name
- Chinook Wines
- Website
- https://chinookwines.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Chinook Wines is a family-owned artisan winery in Prosser, Washington, founded in 1983 by Kay Simon and Clay Mackey, producing a limited portfolio of minimally processed Yakima Valley dry wines sold through a tasting room, regional distributors, retail partners, and direct shipping.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Chinook industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Winery
- NAICS
- Wineries (312130), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE)
Keywords
Where Chinook is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Prosser
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Chinook business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct Tasting Room Sales: Direct-to-consumer wine sales through the winery's tasting room in Prosser, WA, open seasonally May through October with weekend hours (12-5pm) or by appointment. Also offers curbside pickup.
- Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale distribution to restaurants and wine merchants through self-distribution in King County/Northwest Washington, and Vehrs Inc. for Eastern Washington, Southwest Washington, Northern Idaho, and Oregon.
- Retail Sales: Sales through PCC Natural Markets and other retail wine shops throughout Washington State.
- Direct Shipping: Wine shipping within Washington State and to California consumers with valid shipping permit.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cabernet Franc Rosé - $16.99/750ml |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Yakima Valley Red Wine - $16.99/750ml |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Yakima Valley White Wine - $13.99/750ml |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sauvignon Blanc - $18.99/750ml |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Chardonnay - $19.99/750ml |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cabernet Sauvignon - $27.99/750ml |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Chinook product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Chinook Wines is a small family-owned artisan winery producing a limited portfolio of highly acclaimed dry wines from the Yakima Valley AVA in Washington State. The portfolio includes white wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and a blended Yakima Valley White Wine), rosé, and reds (Cabernet Franc Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a blended Yakima Valley Red Wine), all crafted with minimal intervention from estate-grown and locally sourced fruit within approximately 15 miles of the Prosser winery.
Product overview
Chinook Wines is a small, family-owned winery producing a limited portfolio of highly acclaimed dry wines from the Yakima Valley AVA in Washington State. The product lineup consists of white wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and a blended Yakima Valley White Wine) and rosé/red wines (Cabernet Franc Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a blended Yakima Valley Red Wine). Semillon was previously produced but is no longer made. All wines are crafted with minimal intervention from estate-grown and locally sourced fruit within approximately 15 miles of the winery in Prosser, WA.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sauvignon Blanc Yakima Valley Sauvignon Blanc priced at $18.99/750ml, made from fruit sourced from Boushey Vineyards with floral and fruity aromas and a crisp balance of body and acidity.
- Chardonnay Yakima Valley Chardonnay priced at $19.99/750ml, aged in lightly toasted oak barrels with flavors of tropical fruits and Granny Smith apples and subtle vanilla aroma.
- Yakima Valley White Wine Blended Yakima Valley White Wine priced at $13.99/750ml, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from selected vineyard lots, totally dry and crisp.
- Cabernet Franc Rosé Cabernet Franc Rosé priced at $16.99/750ml, featuring a delicate pink salmon color and aromas reminiscent of strawberry freezer jam, made from Cabernet Franc grapes.
- Cabernet Franc 100% varietal Yakima Valley Cabernet Franc from the estate vineyard and Boushey Vineyards, soft and drinkable with low tannins featuring cherries, raspberries, licorice, and violets, aged in neutral oak barrels.
- Cabernet Sauvignon Very limited production Yakima Valley Cabernet Sauvignon priced at $27.99/750ml, from Oasis Farms and Lonesome Spring Vineyard, aged in French oak barrels for complex aroma and flavor.
- Yakima Valley Red Wine Blended Yakima Valley Red Wine priced at $16.99/750ml, combining select vintages of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache with rich garnet color and ripe plum and cherry aromas.
Quantifiable outcome
- 42 years of continuous winemaking since 1983
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Chinook
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Chinook technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Chinook partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Vehrs Inc.coreVehrs Inc. serves as Chinook Wines' distribution partner for Eastern Washington, Southwest Washington, Northern Idaho, and Oregon regions, handling wholesale distribution to restaurants and wine merchants.
- PCC Natural MarketscorePCC Natural Markets carries Chinook Wines, including their Yakima Valley Red benefiting Long Live The Kings salmon restoration program. Partnership supports charitable cause while selling wine.
- Long Live The KingsminorChinook Wines partners with Long Live The Kings, a salmon restoration organization, by selling select wines with proceeds benefiting the cause. Connection to regional environmental stewardship.
- Boushey VineyardscoreLong-term grower relationship with Dick & Luanne Holden's Boushey Vineyards. Supplies fruit for Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines. Mutual respect-based partnership allowing flexibility in picking schedules.
- Lonesome Spring RanchcoreColin Morrell's Lonesome Spring Ranch supplies fruit to Chinook Wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Located within 15 miles of winery.
- Washington State University ProsserminorWSU Prosser houses prestigious vine and wine researchers with whom Chinook has opportunities to interact, supporting industry research and enhancement.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Chinook competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hedges Family Estate: Hedges Family Estate is a small family-owned biodynamic winery on Red Mountain in the Yakima Valley AVA producing limited-production estate wines. Comparable to Chinook in family-ownership structure, estate-viticulture emphasis, premium positioning, and DTC event-driven sales model.
- Cayuse Vineyards: Cayuse is a small biodynamic Walla Walla winery producing highly allocated, premium Washington wines via mailing list and limited distribution. Comparable to Chinook in low-volume artisan production, premium pricing, and restricted-availability model.
- K Vintners: K Vintners is a Walla Walla-based small artisan Washington winery focused on Syrah and Rhône-style reds with a strong mailing-list and fine-dining distribution model. Comparable to Chinook in limited-production, terroir-driven philosophy and Washington fine-dining penetration.
- L'Ecole No 41: L'Ecole No 41 is a small family-owned Yakima Valley winery founded in 1983 in Lowden, WA, producing limited-production premium wines from estate and contracted vineyards. Closely comparable to Chinook in vintage, geography, scale, ownership structure, and DTC tasting-room model.
- DeLille Cellars: DeLille Cellars is a Woodinville-based artisan Washington winery producing premium Bordeaux-style and Chateau-inspired wines with strong fine-dining and wine-club distribution. Comparable to Chinook in premium positioning, restaurant focus, and multi-channel DTC model, though slightly larger in scale.
- Andrew Will Winery: Andrew Will is a small artisan Washington winery producing limited-production Bordeaux-style reds from Yakima Valley and Walla Walla vineyards. Directly comparable in scale, varietal focus (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon blends), and fine-dining restaurant distribution approach.
- Woodward Canyon Winery: Woodward Canyon is a family-owned Washington winery founded in 1981 in the Walla Walla Valley, producing limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Bordeaux-style blends with a similar artisan, multi-channel DTC and fine-dining distribution model. Comparable in scale, heritage, and premium positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Hogue Cellars: Hogue Cellars is a mid-sized Washington winery in the Yakima Valley AVA producing broader-portfolio wines with regional and national distribution. Comparable in AVA and varietal focus but operates at significantly larger scale with conventional wholesale channels.
- Chateau Ste. Michelle: Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington's largest and oldest winery, where Chinook's founders Kay Simon and Clay Mackey both previously worked. Operates broad premium and value portfolios across multiple AVAs with national distribution; sets the regional benchmark and competitive context for Yakima Valley producers.
Emerging players
- Avennia Winery: Avennia is a Woodinville-based small artisan Washington winery producing premium Bordeaux-style wines from Yakima Valley and Walla Walla vineyards with a wine-club and restaurant focus. Comparable to Chinook in limited-production premium positioning and Pacific Northwest DTC focus, with a more recent founding vintage.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights1 record
Customer concentration
Chinook social profiles
Digital presenceChinook financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Chinook leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Chinook funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Chinook M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Chinook
What does Chinook do?
Chinook Wines is a small family-owned artisan winery producing a limited portfolio of highly acclaimed dry wines from the Yakima Valley AVA in Washington State. The portfolio includes white wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and a blended Yakima Valley White Wine), rosé, and reds (Cabernet Franc Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a blended Yakima Valley Red Wine), all crafted with minimal intervention from estate-grown and locally sourced fruit within approximately 15 miles of the Prosser winery.
Is Chinook a public or private company?
Chinook is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Chinook founded?
Chinook was founded in 1983. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Chinook based?
Chinook is headquartered in Prosser, United States, in the North America region.
How does Chinook make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct Tasting Room Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale Distribution, retail Sales and direct Shipping.
Who are Chinook's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hedges Family Estate, Cayuse Vineyards, K Vintners, L'Ecole No 41, DeLille Cellars, Andrew Will Winery and Woodward Canyon Winery. Broad incumbents are Hogue Cellars and Chateau Ste. Michelle. Avennia Winery is listed as an emerging player.
Does Chinook have an API?
No public API is recorded for Chinook.
What industry is Chinook in?
Chinook's product category is Winery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAB, Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands, with a secondary code of THAFALAE, Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms). Its NAICS code is 312130 and its SIC code is 5180.