Joe Woodworth, Owner & Winemaker

Farm kid gone winemaker, yes, for real. But not before a 17 year retail career (and a timely trip to Argentina) made him realize there was more life out there. After trading his suits and ties for dirty jeans and UW t-shirts he’s been busy the last several years completing the Enology & Viticulture program at the Walla Walla Community College and building Alton from the ground up, literally. During school, Joe worked in the cellar and learned all things winemaking from one of the best in the business, Griffin.

If we gave Joe a C-Suite title it would be COO, but in truth, he does it all around here. From making our wine with Griffin, to spreadsheet magic over beers at Five Dollar Ranch, to figuring out irrigation on the property, or fishing a badger out of the firepond, he’s learned all the things they don’t teach you in winemaking school, on the fly. His enthusiasm for small town life and working for yourself are contagious so if you’re thinking of pitching it all and starting over, it might be the last straw to have a beer with him. On his rare off days, he’s smoking something on the Big Green Egg, rooting for the Huskies, threatening to quit golf forever after shooting 73, or perfecting his Negroni game.

Ashley Woodworth, Owner & Director of Brand & Marketing

Spending the last 14+ years at Nordstrom has instilled two things in Ashley, a passion for customer experience and a love of curating things people love.  Whether it was during her years as a dress buyer or latest stint in the tech space focused on AI styling and outfitting, she thrives on pulling it all together, just so.  Her love of white wine (especially Chard) has influenced that side of our winemaking program from the jump. If we gave her a corporate title it would be Brand Director, she oversees all things customer facing and loves to dream up events, details, playlists, and moments of delight that make Alton truly one of a kind.

A day in the life is usually morning coffee at Carte with Winston (@winerydawg), some conference calls and winery things the second she slams her laptop shut. If you asked her what the best things about life in Walla Walla are she’d say seeing friends more spontaneously, the views from Bennington Lake, the bar at Passatempo, and quiet winter mornings at Bacon and Eggs. But most of all, its getting to build something from scratch, with Joe.

Griffin Frey, Co-Winemaker & Sr. Director of Libations

From the first month we moved to WW Griff has been a part of our winemaking journey, and a friend, more importantly. Joe worked under him during his stint in the Enology & Viticulture program, Griffin’s expertise helped us learn how to bring the Alton house style to life in the bottle. Griffin brings years of experience from harvests in Australia, a stint at Ramey in Napa and a few wineries around the valley – along with mad forklifting skills and the party vibes, at all times.  His winemaking intuition and get-it-done attitude in a startup environment lend a new energy to our growing production. Outside of work, Griff is likely either on the golf course taking people’s money, cooking up something delicious in his wood fired oven with a house full of friends, crushing a woodworking project (a few are around the tasting room) or hanging with his wife Sara, daughter Ruby and their pups Willy and Waylon, yes, named after those two. We’re so excited that he took a chance on working with us and look forward to where we all go together, other than Five Dollar Ranch for cold ones after work, thats a given.

Jesse Trott, Director of Hospitality, Penguin Researcher

Like many people, Covid sent Jesse’s original plan post-college out the window. After graduating with an Environmental Studies degree she was supposed to be on a research vessel in Antarctica the summer of 2020. Instead she said “ok, fine” to her long time friend and came to Walla Walla for the summer. In two months time she fell in love with the town and industry largely because of the way wine naturally brings people together to share stories and connect over a bottle.

Jesse has been with us for over 2 years now as Director of Hospitality and we can’t imagine Alton without her. In addition to helping Ashley on the events side of things, she is our wine club quarterback. Her innate ability to bring structure, quick thinking, and genuine warmth to our start-up team are not only invaluable to us as founders but also make your guest experience something we’re really proud of. Jesse is the kind of person who brings up the level of everyone around her, she also keeps us humble by asking “what’s that” when we bring up something from the early 2000’s.

Outside of work you’ll find Jesse, you guessed it, outside. Hiking, camping, and raising her first puppy to call her own, Finley, an adorable black lab. If the ocean were closer, Walla Walla would be perfect for her but we’re hoping just visiting family on the Oregon Coast will keep her satiated and with us for a long time.