CHRISTIE & DICK REED
Dick was born and raised in Chicago and Christie has midwestern farming roots. Christie's wonderous visit to Bordeaux, France in 1976 laid the groundwork for a lifelong interest in the wine industry. Chicago was the national wine auction center in the 1980's, and the Reeds availed themselves of interesting speakers and fabulous wines passing through the auction scene.
Dick and Christie left the Chicago area and moved to Hood River in 1992. A year later they bought what has become Blue Chip Farm and Vineyard. The old fruitstand is now the tasting room, an old barn and stable became the the winery! Dick actively manages the vineyard and pear orchard, while Christie helps in the tasting room, organizes bottling and financial matters. The month of October is filled with havest and crush, and Christie is usually found on the forklift.
Keely Reed
Keely is Dick and Christie’s eldest daughter. Her career in the wine industry started as a teenager in the vineyard pruning vines to help pay for her expensive auto insurance. She was away at college during the first several years the tasting room was open. After returning home in 2006 from various adventures she got a job working with the government. After getting burned out she left and began working full time with Wy’East. Prior to that she had helped with events, harvest, and quality control in the winery. In 2014 her daughter Vinette was born. She took a hiatus for two years and in 2019 came back as General Manager.
Keely is an avid tennis player and plays on 7 teams throughout the Gorge and Portland areas. She enjoys food, USTA tennis, cooking, Pinot Noir, watching dogs play, swimming with her daughter and running the occasional 10k.
PETER CUSHMAN
Peter joined Wy'East as winemaker in 2012. The third-generation Oregon winemaker grew up in McMinnville – heart of the Willamette Valley, and has been in wineries before he was able to walk. Peter studied biology and chemistry at the University of Oregon, graduating in 2009 and moving to Hood River to work for his family’s winery – Viento, as they moved to the promising Columbia Gorge wine region. Working with multiple wineries in the Gorge, as well as Framingham Wines in Marlborough NZ, has helped Peter shape is winemaking style to show the exceptional quality of the vines at Wy'East.
GLEN PEARCE
Glen joined Wy'East in February of 2015. He came with a vast knowledge about wine in the Gorge, having worked many years in the Gorge wine industry. Glen helps with our wholesale accounts and group tours. He has been living in Hood River with his wife, Patti since 1998.
KELLY ASBRIDGE
Kelly has been a long time employee with Wy’East, and is our Wine Club Manager. As a retired teacher, her organizational skills keep the winery running smoothly and the Wine Club a real class act. She is an avid USTA tennis player, loves making art in a variety of mediums, and enjoys hiking and getting outdoors in her spare time.
ASIA
Asia, and her sister Roxie (not pictured here) are the welcoming ambassadors. They are also very good at showing you where the treat drawer is.