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. Now, 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. We ensure 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. There is no better team to continue the legacy like our vineyard and production team. With over 30 years at Badger Mountain, Vineyard Manager, Ines Duenas brings forth years of experience and wisdom needed to continuously manage a healthy vineyard and successful growing season. Ines works 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.

Natural Passion,

Responsible Farming,
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Pure Wine.
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“I am the luckiest guy in the world because I get up, walk out the door and get to do what I love everyday.”
-Bill Powers

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

Tim DeCook joined Badger Mountain Vineyard as a partner in 1983. With a background in engineering and anesthesiology, Tim jokes he had great experience with “pipes and valves” and that joining a winery seemed a natural transition, given the use of “pipes and valves” in winemaking and his deep seeded passion for wine. Over the past 30+ years, Tim has helped the vineyard evolve from selling its grape production, to pioneering organic viticulture, to making world class organic wines.

Enjoying retirement, Tim and his wife Carolyn live happily aboard their boat dividing their time between the San Juan Islands and Mexico and coming to the winery to visit and for special events.

Mickey Dunne

Winery Owner/General Manager

Mickey experienced his first wine grape harvest in 1987 and has been hooked on the Washington State wine industry ever since. Serving as Assistant Winemaker and then Winemaker for the Snoqualmie/Saddle Mountain property, Mickey was responsible for approximately 100,000 cases of production until the property was sold in 1991. He then formed Wineworks, Inc., a complete farm to consumer consulting company working with numerous Washington wineries. After joining Badger Mountain as Sales Manager in 1998, the brand has grown from 17,000 cases per year to a current production level of around 85,000 cases per year. Mickey was made a partner in 2005 and currently serves as General Manager.

Passionately committed to the success of Washington state wines and the environmental sustainability vision embodied by Badger Mountain Vineyard and Powers Winery, Mickey is active on the Washington Wine Commission International Marketing Committee and sits on the Board of the Northwest Wine Coalition.

Mickey is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. He enjoys playing ice hockey, fishing, and cooking. He and his wife live in Kennewick, in the heart of Washington State wine country.

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OUR ROOTS

Bill Powers, Original Founder

Family Roots

Tim & Carolyn DeCook

Mickey Dunne