Badger Mountain Vineyard, founded by Bill Powers in 1982, is the first wine grape vineyard to be USDA Certified Organic in Washington State. We earned certification in 1990, three years after Bill committed himself to organic viticulture and wine production. His vision began with our responsibility to the environment and extends to producing a completely natural product under our Badger Mountain Vineyard label.
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Now, almost 30 years later, we use only organically approved and natural occurring substances for all vineyard applications. This means that like the growers of centuries past, we use no synthetic treatments of any kind. We rely on our years of experience, and on techniques that we have developed to keep our vineyard site in balance. Eudoro Lucatero, our Vineyard Manager for nearly 25 years, advocates for these practices and describes the benefits in a word, “Health! Without using pesticides and herbicides, air quality is better, the fruit and vines are healthier, and both the workers and the wine drinkers are healthier!” With that in mind, we make sure each bottle includes an ingredients list along with Gluten-free and Vegan declarations, so that customers can be assured and informed about the products they choose.

As THE standard for USDA certified organic wine from Washington State, we are proud to continue Bill Powers’ legacy. No person is better fitted to do so than our head winemaker, Jose Mendoza. Having worked in every vineyard and production role since starting here in 1995, Jose’s passion lies in the “art of blending”. He believes that each vintage and varietal hold the magic of that year and that particular terroir. Jose and his team work closely with our diverse grower partners to form complex and clean wines with great character and depth - all without additives or preservatives of any kind!
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As a continuation of our organic commitment, we have adopted and developed greener energy alternatives wherever possible. Solar panels help to power the winery, and bio-diesel is made on-site for use in farm equipment. Our bottles are locally produced, lightweight glass, and our labels are made from recycled paper and ink.
We believe in using both tradition and technology to produce compelling organic wines. We believe that our stewardship in the vineyard, in the winery, and in the community is rewarded with better wines. We will continue to be an example for the industry and apply sustainable practices wherever possible.
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Natural Passion, Responsible Farming, Pure Wine.

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Bill Powers, Original Founder

Having grown up in Oklahoma, dry farming peanuts, cotton, and wheat, Bill Powers was drawn to Washington State in 1957 by the Columbia Basin’s ample irrigation, rich soil, and excellent farming climate. Today, Bill has worked the land of Eastern Washington for over 50 years; his attachment runs deep and his commitment to sustaining the land is proven, active and purposeful.In 1982, following 20 years as an orchardist and a few years in the cattle business, Bill found his perfect piece of ground and with his son Greg, planted Badger Mountain Vineyard. Located on the south facing slope of its namesake mountain, Badger Mountain Vineyard produced grapes for Washington state’s Chateau St. Michelle from 1985 to 1987. Bill first produced and bottled wine under the Badger Mountain label in 1988.
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Ever vigilant in looking for ways to improve the vineyard and its fruit, Bill began to question what seemed an over-exposure to chemicals in farming. Concerned about the potential long term environmental and health effects, Bill decided in 1988 to transition Badger Mountain Vineyard to organic viticulture. At the time there were only a few organic vineyards in California, but no one was farming grapes organically in Washington.
In 1989 Bill and Greg built the family winery and in 1990, Badger Mountain Vineyard became the first Certified Organic winegrape vineyard in Washington State and produced the first Badger Mountain Vineyard vintage. Bill is proud to be the founder of Washington’s oldest and largest organic winegrape producer. “After many years of working with conventional chemicals,” he says, “I simply found a better way."

Highly respected for his progressive techniques and farming expertise, Bill was twice been honored by his colleagues at the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers (WAWGG). Bill was named 1996 Washington Wine Grape Grower of the Year for his excellent recovery of the vineyard after a devastating freeze. And In 2007, Bill received a Lifetime Achievement Award. At that time, the honor had only been bestowed three times since the organization began in 1983. In 2010 he was honored by the Walter Clore Center as a "Legend of Washington Wine" and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Washington wine industry lost a pioneer when Bill passed away in September 2014, but his legacy will continue to live on with his extended Winery “family”.

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Family Roots

Tim & Carolyn DeCook

Winery Owners

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Mickey Dunne

Winery Owner/General Manager

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Jose Mendoza

Head Winemaker

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Growing up in California with a father who managed vineyards, Badger Mountain winemaker, Jose Mendoza’s life in wine began earlier than most. In 1985 at 17 years old his cousin and vineyard manager, Eudoro Lucatero, hired him to come up and work alongside him and founder Bill Powers. Jose has worn nearly every hat there is to wear at Badger Mountain, from working in the vineyard, moving to cellar master, and eventually to head winemaker for one of the largest wineries in Washington State. Alongside Bill, Eudoro, and eventually Mickey Dunne, Jose absorbed everything they had to offer, especially from Bill Powers. “For him, it was about doing the right thing and respecting the land. He had a passion for nature and always believed in me and the other employees” Jose recalls.

Jose highly values the terroir in Washington State and especially at Badger Mountain Vineyard. In this growing region that is known to be windy and dry, Jose feels that organic fruit is better in quality than conventional fruit. Jose says, “We have an advantage with the growing conditions and terroir in WA that eliminates a lot of the challenges that you see in other growing areas. It is close to ideal conditions for growing fruit organically”. The biggest challenge in growing and making wine from organic fruit is centered around timing. Organic fruit is delicate and requires very close monitoring, especially around harvest time. With extra care and attentiveness, Jose likes bringing in the fruit when the acid is high, and the PH is a bit lower. We then are able to craft wines with a great depth of fruit and character along with being a true representation of this great growing region, without any added additives, or sulfites.

Along with having high values on the terroir in WA State, Jose has traveled extensively, learning from other winemakers in some of the most famous growing regions around the world. With recent visits to Argentina, Italy, and France a few times, Jose has learned about what makes these wines special and how he can apply these techniques to the wines at Badger Mountain Vineyard. Jose continually strives to educate himself and looks forward to learning from the challenges that each vintage provides. Natural Passion, Responsible Farming, PURE WINE!

Our Roots

Bill Powers, Original Founder

Family Roots

Tim & Carolyn DeCook

Mickey Dunne

Jose Mendoza