A to Z Wineworks

A to Z Wineworks was founded in 2002 when two couples with a shared idea met at a wine tasting. Sam Tannahill and Cheryl Francis had just co-founded Francis Tannahill Wine Company, while Deb and Bill Hatcher were veterans of Eyrie Vineyards and Domaine Drouhin Oregon respectively. Both couples wanted to buy bulk Oregon wine and create an affordable, high-quality blend. Instead of competing, they partnered. The first A to Z vintage was bottled in August 2002 as a one-off project, but when the inaugural blend was recognized by Food and Wine magazine as the Best American Pinot Noir under $20, the partners turned it into a permanent business. Starting at just 2,500 cases, the company grew rapidly and is now based in Newberg, Oregon, at the REX HILL property in the Chehalem Mountains. A to Z Wineworks LLC operates today as a standalone company owned by Sycamore Partners, with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates serving as its U.S. sales agent.

• Founded in 2002 by Deb Hatcher, Bill Hatcher, Sam Tannahill, and Cheryl Francis, all Oregon wine industry veterans with backgrounds at prestigious Willamette Valley producers
• The inaugural vintage started at 2,500 cases, with distribution in 50 states and international markets
• Acquired REX HILL Vineyards and Winery, providing an owned production facility and estate vineyards in the Chehalem Mountains AVA near Newberg
• A to Z, REX HILL, and Erath form a three-brand Oregon group under the standalone, Sycamore-owned A to Z Wineworks LLC; Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, which acquired A to Z in September 2022, now serves as the group's U.S. sales agent

A to Z fundamentally shifted perceptions of what Oregon wine could achieve at scale. Before their emergence, most quality Oregon producers operated at small volumes with premium price points. A to Z demonstrated that sourcing fruit rigorously from 50-plus vineyards across Western Oregon could produce consistent, critically recognized wines in the $15 to $25 tier, a segment that had been largely ceded to California and imported brands. Their two Wine Spectator Top 100 placements, for the 2008 vintage in 2010 and the 2011 vintage in 2013, validated the négociant model in the Pacific Northwest.

• Proved large-scale Oregon Pinot Noir could achieve consistent critical recognition, with Wine Spectator Top 100 appearances in 2010 and 2013
• Established the $15-$25 price-to-quality benchmark for accessible Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
• A to Z Oregon Pinot Gris is a perennial Best Buy across the accessible quality tier
• A to Z, REX HILL, and Erath form a three-brand Oregon group under the standalone, Sycamore-owned A to Z Wineworks LLC, with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates as the group's U.S. sales agent

A to Z's competitive advantage lies in systematic vineyard sourcing and meticulous quality control across 50-plus vineyard partners throughout Western Oregon's valleys. Rather than relying on owned vineyards for volume, the winery cultivates long-term grower relationships that provide fruit consistency across difficult vintages and the ability to blend across microclimates and soil types. This négociant approach allows winemakers to capture the full diversity of Oregon's cool-climate growing regions in a single bottling. The production philosophy emphasizes balance, round flavors, and immediate approachability. The REX HILL sister brand, by contrast, draws on Willamette Valley estate vineyards farmed using biodynamic, organic, or LIVE-certified practices.

• Works with vineyards across Oregon AVAs; sourcing spans Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Rosé, and sparkling wine
• REX HILL estate vineyards in Chehalem Mountains are Demeter Certified Biodynamic, LIVE Certified, and Salmon Safe
• REX HILL operates as the premium estate tier within the group, drawing on roughly 100 acres of Willamette Valley estate vineyards

A to Z's portfolio is anchored by its Oregon Pinot Noir, sourced from 50-plus vineyard sites across the state and consistently priced around $19 to $22. The wine has twice earned Wine Spectator Top 100 recognition: the 2008 vintage made the 2010 list, and the 2011 vintage ranked number 55 on the 2013 list. The A to Z Oregon Pinot Gris is a perennial Best Buy.

• A to Z Oregon Pinot Noir: bright red cherry, cranberry, fresh raspberry, gentle spice; sourced from 50-plus vineyards statewide; average retail price around $19
• A to Z Oregon Pinot Gris: perennial Best Buy recognition; stone fruit and apple character with food-relevant acidity and texture
• A to Z Oregon Chardonnay: balanced citrus and stone fruit with restrained oak across a multi-vineyard statewide blend
• REX HILL Willamette Valley Pinot Noir: premium estate tier

A to Z has been at the forefront of sustainable business practice in the Oregon wine industry for over a decade. In May 2014, A to Z became a Certified B Corporation, meeting rigorous standards of environmental, social, and economic performance. The company has subsequently achieved Best for the World B Corp status every year that designation has been awarded. In 2021, A to Z became the first Oregon winery to join International Wineries for Climate Action, a science-based initiative focused on decarbonizing the global wine sector. These commitments extend to vineyard sourcing: the REX HILL estate vineyards are Demeter Certified Biodynamic, LIVE Certified, and Salmon Safe, and A to Z supports both sustainable and conventional farming across its broader grower network.

• Certified B Corporation since May 2014; has achieved Best for the World B Corp status every year the designation has been awarded
• In 2021, became the first Oregon winery to join International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), pledging to decarbonize operations
• REX HILL estate vineyards are Demeter Certified Biodynamic, LIVE Certified, and Salmon Safe
• Sustainability commitments span environmental performance, social responsibility, and economic transparency as core business values

A to Z is one of Oregon's higher-volume producers and demonstrated that the state could compete on quality at scale. A to Z Wineworks LLC is a standalone company owned by Sycamore Partners and is the parent of the Oregon brands REX HILL and Erath, with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates serving as the U.S. sales agent for these wines. SMWE acquired A to Z and REX HILL on September 7, 2022, and had acquired Erath in 2006; Sycamore Partners had purchased SMWE for $1.2 billion from Altria in 2021. Amy Prosenjak is the CEO of A to Z Wineworks, having joined A to Z in 2007.

• One of Oregon's higher-volume producers, with distribution in 50 states and international markets
• Now a standalone company owned by Sycamore Partners, with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates as its U.S. sales agent; SMWE acquired A to Z on September 7, 2022
• A to Z, REX HILL, and Erath form a three-brand Oregon group under the standalone, Sycamore-owned A to Z Wineworks LLC
• Amy Prosenjak, who joined A to Z in 2007, is the CEO of A to Z Wineworks