Cougar Crest Estate Winery was established at the Walla Walla Airport in 2001 by Deborah and David Hansen. Natives of the Northwest, Deborah from Spokane and David from Bremerton, they met in Pullman. After graduating from Washington State University in the 1970's, Deborah in Pharmacy, and David in Veterinary Medicine, their careers led us to the San Francisco area for 18 years. It was there, among the California wineries, that the appreciation of the art of winemaking was born. While pursuing wine in California, the Hansens developed 125 acres of orchards in the Walla Walla Valley. In 1995 the farms became self-sufficient and they moved their family to the Valley in 1996.

The chosen site was Stellar Vineyard, and the plants flourished. The next year Cougar Hills Vineyard was established. Cougar Crest currently makes wine from Estate Grown Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Viognier. This year will mark the first year of production for Petit Verdot and Malbec, which will greatly expand the blending options and complexity in the Bordeaux varietals.