Interview with Columbia Crest Winery's Juan Munoz Oca

Juan Muñoz Oca is the head winemaker at Columbia Crest Winery in Paterson, Washington. Columbia Crest is recognized as the leading producer of acclaimed, high quality wines from Washington state. As Head Winemaker, Muñoz Oca is responsible for producing the winery’s portfolio of Reserve, H3, Grand Estates and Two Vines wines. He joined Columbia Crest in 2003 and was named head winemaker in 2011. Prior to 2011 he was dedicated to the winery’s red wine program where he worked alongside Ray Einberger whose 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon became the first Washington wine to be named ‘Wine of the Year’ by Wine Spectator in 2009.‍

How long have you been involved with wine?

‍It never even crossed my mind to ever do anything but...I started working with my Grandpa when I was a little kid. Then I went to school for winemaking and worked with my Grandfather in the summers. So it was always around and its all I ever did. My grandfather lived at a vineyard so when we went to his house his backyard was the vineyard.

‍How did you get outside of Mendoza?

My grandfather pushed me to look outside of Mendoza and learn as much as I could. So in 2002 I arrived in Washington and immediate fell in Love w Washington wines. The energy here felt like Napa in 72...everyone was coming together and only a couple people were making good wines...in fact it still feels that way.

‍Describe the value in Washington state.

‍The price of the grapes, land etc is so much less than basically anywhere we then are able to pass that savings along to our consumers. Put that together with the amazing winemakers and you have an incredible place to make wine!

‍Tell us about Mendoza.

‍Everyone there lives and breathes wine. Very similar to Washington (very high elevations,dry dessert brings cooler at night and hot during the day) Mendoza gets alot of rain during the

growing season which we don't get in Washington.During his college years, Muñoz Oca gained more wine industry experience during stints at various wineries in Argentina. After graduating with honors from Argentina’s National University of Cuyo with dual degrees in agricultural engineering and winemaking, he studied viticulture in Ribera del Duero, Spain and joined the winemaking team at Terrazas de los Andes, an Argentine premium winery owned by Chandon.

‍School or real world knowledge for becoming the best winemaker?

‍Its all about passion! I have seen both ways work and both ways not work. You have to be driven and have an incredible attention to detail especially when you are making as many cases as we do.

‍How many cases are you overseeing?

At Columbia Crest last year we shipped over 2 million cases and we own over 2,700 acres and oversee over 6,000 acres. We employ over 400 during crush.

‍How did you start with Columbia Crest?

‍Though Muñoz Oca planned to further his experience with an internship at a California winery, in 2001 a meeting with the legendary Dr. Robert Wample, then a top viticulturalist at Washington State University convinced him to head further north to Washington. In the summer of 2001, he began interning with the viticulture team at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, and in 2003 began working at Columbia Crest. With time out for stints at Bleasdale Vineyards in Australia and Bordeaux’s Chateau Puy Guilhem, he’s been at Columbia Crest ever since.

What's your opinion of Columbia Crest?

‍The perfect grape-growing climate, the best viticultural practices and people committed to crafting the best bottle of wine vintage after vintage is what Columbia Crest’s winemaking is all about. My time in Washington has been the most meaningful to me, I fell in love with the wine and the people, and that’s why I’ve been here since.Best and worst jobs?By far the worse job is all related to my Grandpa...when you work for family they know what they can push on you and hence I cleaned many many barrels 6,7, or 8 hours (cold,wet, etc!) Best is the job I have each day...I truly love my job!

‍What wines are you drinking?

I tend to drink alot of Ribuera and Rioja...alot of Malbec from Argentina...use to be only from Mendoza now its extending to Patagonia...alot of Spanish wines. At home we try many different wines...we love expanding our regions.

‍Tell us about 2005 vintage and why it was so important to Columbia Crest.

‍2005 was a tremendous year for grapes...everything came out just right. We were the first Number 1 vineyard from Washington St...and really helped us (Washington winemakers) feel we could compete with anyone. On a personal note my family was so proud it was so great. My mom couldn't stop talking about it for months. My younger brother is a plastic surgeon and for once my mom was quiet about the Dr and was raving about the winemaker!

What's the secret of the consistency of Columbia Crest?

‍Its all in the grapes...we have incredible grapes. I have to give management a big thumbs up for allowing us to buy so many great barrels...and anything else we need (over 20,000 new barrels last year!) Making wine the old fashioned way...quality and commitment.

‍Favorite wine pairing?

‍I am a simple guy...red meat and red wine! I also love to match wine regions with food from the same region. American Chardonnay is truly amazing...clams and linguini!