|
Our Winemakers are a team comprised of Instructors and Students of the Enology and Viticulture Program at Walla Walla Community College.
Meet the Instructors
 Tim Donahue
Enology Instructor and Winemaker
tim.donahue@wwcc.edu
509-524-5172 - Office 1610
Tim Donahue joined our staff on August 5, 2010.. He brings a great winemaking background having made wine with his father most of his life, managing the family winery and making their wine. Additionally, he holds a Master's in Enology from the University of Adelaide in Australia and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. Besides the family winery (which produced many award winning wines) he also has commercial winery experience for a much larger New Zealand producer, Indevin (2nd largest producer in New Zealand). Tim is a recent transplant to the Walla Walla Valley and has extensive knowledge, high energy and a passion for teaching and student learning. He is very hands-on in his instruction style but is thoroughly knowledgeable of the science of winemaking as well. He was also employed at the University of Adelaide as the Associate Vineyard Manager for the 10 acre teaching vineyard so is comfortable with the vineyard as well. He believes in living sustainably and rumor has it that he rides his bike everywhere - he rode his bike to his interview and logs over 5000 miles a year.
 Jeff Popick
Viticulture Instructor and Vineyardist
jeffrey.popick@wwcc.edu
509-524-5171 - Office 1611
A veteran of the wine industry, Jeff Popick brings significant vineyard management and winemaking experience to the Center for Enology and Viticulture. With almost three decades in the wine industry, Jeff began his industry career as vineyard manager for Mount Eden Vineyards in Saratoga after earning his BS degree in Viticulture from UC Davis. From Mount Eden, Jeff moved to Mayacamas Vineyards in Napa for ten years where his roles included vineyard manager, cellar master and national sales. He also worked extensively with growers and wineries throughout the North Coast viticultural area for nine years as North Coast grower and winery relations representative for Allied Grape Growers. Most recently, Jeff completed the 2010 harvest with Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards and Winery in Windsor, CA. Besides many years of academic and practical vineyard experience, Jeff has also co-owned a winery (Chameleon Cellars, 1995-2008) in St. Helena, taught enology and viticulture classes at Napa Valley Community College and Las Positas College, and written a weekly weather column for the Saint Helena Star for several years. Monitoring vineyard climates and writing for the newspaper is the closest Jeff has come to his lifelong dream of landing a job working for "The Weather Channel" as an on-air meteorologist. Speaking of which, Jeff's hobbies include meteorology (of course), fishing, physical fitness, eating and wine tasting (both mutually exclusive with respect to the aforementioned hobby), gardening and golf. He is also fluent in Spanish and French, having obtained both a BA and MA in French from the University of Arizona.
 Wanda Williams
EV Program Coordinator
wanda.williams@wwcc.edu
509.524.5170 - Office 1616A
A longtime resident of Walla Walla and 20-year employee of WWCC, Wanda plays an important role in maintaining the positive reputation of the Enology & Viticulture program. She is responsible for coordinating academic schedules, assisting students with enrollment, maintaining prospective student databases, planning and organizing program events, setting up industry seminars and managing logistics such as facilities, travel arrangements, and student communications. In addition to her academic program responsibilities, Wanda also manages retail operations and compliance for College Cellars. Fluent in the Spanish language, Wanda teaches a Winery and Vineyard Spanish class for program students during winter quarter.
Sabrina Lueck
Instruction & Classroom Support Tech
sabrina.lueck@wwcc.edu
509.524.5173 - Office 1616B
Sabrina joined the team in August 2011. She has a Bachelor’s of Science from Cornell University in Enology and Viticulture. She has worked in production at Chateau Ste. Michelle and in hospitality at Terra Blanca on Red Mountain. Sabrina is here to help everyone! She works with Wanda in administration and is also the academic wing-woman for Tim and Jeff.
Founding Members
Advisory Committee
College Cellars and the Institute for Enology & Viticulture are also guided by an Advisory Committee made up of some of the top winemakers and industry professionals in Washington State.
Current Members:
Myles Anderson – Walla Walla Vintners
Gordon Burns – ETS Laboratories
Marty Club – L'Ecole Nº 41
Chris Figgins – Leonetti Cellar
Gary Figgins – Leonetti Cellar
Paul Gregutt – Wine Writer
Norm McKibben – Pepperbridge Winery
Craig Nelsen – Ensemble Cellars
Jill Noble – Couvillion
Rick Small – Woodward Canyon
Dan Thiessen – Walla Walla Community College
Duane Wollmuth – Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance
Past Members Include:
John Abbott – Abeja
Roger Cockerline – Bunchgrass Winery
Ron Coleman – Tamarack Cellars |
Dr. Myles J. Anderson
Stan N. Clarke