Jamie Brown

A Walla Walla native, Jamie moved to Seattle after high school to pursue music, eventually opening his own music store. Several restauranteurs became clients, and started providing Jamie an education in fine wine. Jamie’s passion for wine developed alongside an interest in the art of winemaking. Jamie credits his love and knowledge of making music for helping him to become an intuitive winemaker. “My goal as a musician and song writer was to anticipate a melody, without restricting its natural direction. The same is true for wine. You develop your intuition and experience as a winemaker by recognizing the strengths of a particular vineyard, grape variety, or vintage. You learn to appreciate what nature gives you and allow those elements to shape the way you make wines.”

Inspired by the growing demand for Walla Walla wines, Jamie moved back and gained invaluable experience working at Glen Fiona, Dunham Cellars and Pepper Bridge, before becoming the first winemaker for James Leigh Cellars in 2001. At James Leigh, Jamie garnered a reputation for making elegant, food-friendly wines that showcased the underlying vineyard from which they came, particularly his Syrah. In 2005, Jamie was introduced to Jason by their mutual friend Chris Figgins of Leonetti Cellar. Jamie and Jason quickly connected over their fondness for old world wines, and a shared vision for Waters Winery quickly ensued.