Middleton Family Wines announced today that winemaker Virginie Bourgue is departing Cadaretta Winery to focus all of her energy on her own winery, and consulting opportunities in winemaking and viticulture.

Virginie will be working with Cadaretta as her first consulting client to assist in winemaking and vineyard development.

Rich Hanen, general manager of Middleton Family Wines, the family owned and operated company that founded Cadaretta Winery and the Southwind Estate Vineyard in Walla Walla, said he wishes Bourgue the best. "Virginie is an excellent winemaker and I'm sure her brand will do well. In the meantime, we're pleased she has agreed to stay on as our consultant to make sure the 2008 and 2009 Cadaretta wines are well cared for."

During the transition, winemaking duties for Cadaretta will be handled by assistant winemaker Brian Rudin and consulting winemaker Larry Cherubino while the winery conducts a national search for a new winemaker.

Hanen said the family company will identify and hire a winemaker who understands the family's long-term goals. "The Middleton family has been in business in Washington since 1898, and is committed to being here much longer. To us, that means appreciating the soil, our Washington location, and the opportunity we've been given to make wine of the highest quality in Walla Walla."