Our Story

About Us

Chelan Ridge Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the Lake Chelan AVA. Built by Henry and Lynn Munneke in early 2003 it has been known for its outstanding Estate grown wines and hospitality. The Winery has been newly acquired by Chelan Ridge Holding LLC, a company majority-owned by William and Candace Swayne. The Swayne's and their new staff are dedicated to carrying on the Munnekes attention to excellence and have greatly expanded the Winery to include a new wood-fired pizza oven and tasting pavilion. If you have visited us before or are just new to Chelan, we invite you to come, relax and experience the new Chelan Ridge, enjoy the spectacular views while you have a pizza, and drink some of our soon-to-be award-winning wines. We look forward to welcoming you in the near future.

Our Vineyard

Chelan Ridge Winery farms vine-to-vine to maximize the potential of each individual vine and cluster of grapes. At the vineyards, individualized sections of vines are planted in the same type of soil with the same vine (called “blocks”). Each block requires different irrigation, pruning, thinning, canopy management and harvest criteria to maximize the quality of the grapes produced. The harvest is most often in multiple stages due to the variations of varietals and maturity of fruit in the individual blocks throughout each vineyard. Our Vineyard manager is Enrique Hernandez, who has two decades of experience with vine maintenance. Enrique actually planted Chelan Ridge’s vineyards currently consisting of eleven acres of both white and Red varietals. His extensive experience, attention to detail and willingness to continually learn and work with expert vinologists are what give our wines the best foundation we can to produce the award-winning wines we desire.

See Our Wines

Meet The Team

William M. Swayne

Owner

William M. Swayne (Bill) is the majority owner of Chelan Ridge Holdings LLC and sole owner and manager of WMS Consultants, LLC, a business consulting, real estate development funding, and marketing company. WMS Consultants is the managing entity of Chelan Ridge Holdings LLC, dba Chelan Ridge Winery. Mr. Swayne has 42 years of experience as a Registered Investment Advisor and Securities Representative. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1967 from the University of Washington and after spending four years as a Romanian Linguist in the United States Air Force Security Service during the Vietnam conflict, returned, and spent 7 years in the insurance industry running a major General Agency for Mutual Benefit Life in Seattle. During this time, he earned his MBA degree in Finance from City University and achieved his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations. Then he and his wife, Candace founded and established a private Investment Banking/Advisor business and ran that together from 1980 through 2015 when he retired and moved permanently to Lake Chelan. Bill’s son and wife continue to run their RIA business. After his retirement, Bill worked as the Regional Marketing Director for Mellisoni Vineyards before acquiring Chelan Ridge Winery in September of 2021. Bill and his wife Candace believe that raising their five children and grandparenting their 14 grandchildren is their biggest accomplishment and blessing in life.

Sarah Hart

Wine Club Manager

Sarah Hart is Wine Club Manager and assistant to Mr. Swayne. Sarah brings her numerous talents to Chelan Ridge Winery, providing excellent professional service and making all of our wine club members feel like family. Sarah joined the Chelan Ridge team in April of 2022 after serving as manager and server for the North Shore Café in Manson where so many locals and tourists got to know her. She is probably best known for her fine art and photography talents having run her own Fine Art and Photography business for many years in Chelan, Manson and Stehekin. Sarah has two children and a new one on the way. She is one of the main reasons we feel the Chelan Ridge Winery “Ridge Club” is one of the best wine clubs in the valley. Come in and get to know her. I can honestly say, her genuinely warm and
welcoming demeaner will make you feel like you are at home.

Jeff Crowder

Winemaker

Jeff is a graduate of WSU with a degree in Viticulture & Enology. He owns Radiance Winery and has been honing his craft and making extraordinary wines for over a decade. Jeff joins the CRW team as a integral partner and winemaking visionary.

Enrique Hernandez

Vineyard Manager

Enrique and his family planted and have managed Chelan Ridge Winery's 11 acres of grapes for the last 15 years. Their knowledge and dedication to growing quality grapes is known and respected throughout the Lake Chelan AVA. Enrique’s role as Vineyard Manager will be to assist our winemakers by producing and maintaining the highest quality of grapes possible for our wines. His job includes the day to day management and oversight of all farming activities, Pruning, irrigation, fertilizing, pest control, picking and assistance in all crushing activities. Enrique and his family have also participated in bottling, labeling and storage of all bonded wines. Enrique manages all personnel required to perform the above duties and is a trusted and respected part of the new Chelan Ridge team.

Brad Bodley

Partner - Event Facility Marketing Manager - “The Barn”

Brad, retired from Scandinavian Airliness after being stationed in Seattle for 25 years as a marketing and Sales Agent working with Travel Agents, Corporations and special interest accounts, booking them for travel on SAS into Europe. Brad's extensive experience in marketing and selling groups and companies will be ideal for his new position with Chelan Ridge Holdings, LLC. Brads role in Chelan Ridge in addition to being a partner and common equity investor, will be to market, book and sell our new event facility to individuals and corporations for special events.