The Betz Family Winery of Woodinville, Washington, took a major step into the future today as owners Bob and Cathy Betz partnered with veteran wine lovers and entrepreneurs Steve and Bridgit Griessel. 
ABOVE: Master of Wine (MW) Bob Betz is one of the most recognized and well-known ambassadors for Washington State’s wine industry. Photo ©Tasting Room Magazine
The Griessels are purchasing the winery from the Betzes, while retaining the Betzes as part of the winery’s management and operations, with Bob continuing as Winemaker, responsible for making the wines for years to come.
Bob and Cathy Betz established the winery in 1997 after decades of work in the Washington wine industry. Over the past several vintages they built a strong reputation as one of one of the state’s, as well as the country’s, premier producers of Rhone and Bordeaux style red wines.
New owner Steve Griessel explained the partnership: “Bridgit and I have been searching for a high-end, west-coast family winery; Betz Family, with its relationships with prime Washington vineyards, winemaking philosophy, customer service attitude and financial success, is the gem we were looking for. Our plan is to build on the Betz track record of great wine quality as well as on the unique personal style in which they have contributed to the industry over the years. The Betz ‘stamp’ will be apparent throughout the winery well into the future.”
For the Betzes this is the logical next step.
“At this stage, I want to focus more time on what originally attracted me to the industry, the vineyards and the cellar, rather than on the daily management of the company. And we want to carve out a little more time for ourselves and our family,” said Bob Betz. “The Griessels not only continue the “family” aspects of the winery but bring enthusiasm and such strong management skills (and a keen passion for wine!) that I can spend my time focused on fruit and wine quality. Not much will actually change here because the Griessel’s participation in our team is additive; if anything, the wines should reflect even greater vineyard precision and character.”
Steve and Bridgit Griessel moved to the U.S. from South Africa 9 years ago, where Steve had started his first business at age 25, and has founded/managed companies in a variety of industries. Bridgit brings a wealth of experience from the IT industry, and owns and manages a successful safari company to southern Africa.