Walla Walla, Wash. — November 30, 2017 — Lagana Cellars this week announced a new partnership with Todd Bernave of Seattle, WA. Todd joins Jason Fox, founding owner and winemaker, in all facets of the business including marketing, winemaking, and wholesale and retail sales. Todd has worked in the Walla Walla wine industry for over 10 years, most recently with Walla Walla Vintners as their longtime Crush Manager and Assistant Winemaker. It was at Walla Walla Vintners that Jason and Todd’s friendship began when Jason interned there during the 2012 harvest.
With the addition of Bernave, Lagana Cellars will expand the markets where wines are sold and further refine the winemaking style to push their wines to new heights. Starting with the 2017 vintage, Todd has been fully involved in winemaking, marketing, and business operations. Jason continues as founding winemaker, operations lead, and caretaker of his signature white wines.
Founded in 2013, Lagana Cellars is a Walla Walla Valley boutique winery producing a variety of wines from Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc to Cabernet Franc and others.
Not always focused on wine, Jason and Todd come from backgrounds rooted in the fields of arts and sciences. Jason studied anthropology and astrophysics at Indiana University Bloomington before graduating from Walla Walla Community College’s Enology and Viticulture program. Todd majored in drawing and photography at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, where he earned his BFA. Todd’s path toward wine began in 1997 when his father, Rich Bernave, was hired by Walla Walla Vintners as one of their first employees. Jason’s passion for wine was cultivated through his culinary experiences and love of food. Together, Jason and Todd will form a partnership anchored by four basic building blocks: food, family, friends and wine.