What a year!

Thank you all for an incredible 2025 – to say that it was eventful is an understatement, and we couldn’t have made it through without your support. The year brought the arrival of the newest Itämeri, our son Basil, aka “Juicy” (so named by his older sister, August), the release of our new cabernet franc, the very first itä t-shirts, and wonderful moments shared with you – here at the winery, over email, and on social media.

With the Juicy’s arrival came a realization that there was no way that I could be everywhere I wanted to be, or do all of the things that I wanted to do – in my business or for my family. I made the difficult but strategic decision to limit our tasting room hours and focus more on our online presence to take care of Basil while keeping up the momentum of itä wines.

Between midnight feedings, googling “what is SEO?,” and dragging the kids to visit vineyards and the winery, I’ve come to realize that what really matters is connection. I am honored to have been able to connect with you, and to connect you to the things that I love here in Walla Walla – the land, the grapes and wines, and the people who’s hard work makes it all possible. It is a small but poignant token, a bottle of wine sitting on a table, to be shared with loved ones in good times and bad, connecting us all.

Thank you for letting us be a part of that table!

Cheers,
Kelsey