Woodward Canyon Winery announced that Winemaker Kevin Mott and Sales Director Thomas Woodley have become shareholders in the winery. They join founders Rick Small and Darcey Fugman-Small and their children Jordan Dunn-Small and Sager Small in the winery ownership. 
Mott and Woodley both joined Woodward Canyon in 2003. Mott graduated from the College of Idaho with a degree in chemistry and began his career in the wine industry in 1986 at Ste. Chapelle Winery in Caldwell, Idaho. In 1999 he was responsible for the development of Chalone Wine Group’s Sagelands Vineyard in Washington’s Yakima Valley and acted as General Manager and Winemaker until moving to Walla Walla’s Canoe Ridge Vineyard in 2002. Mott served as Winemaker there, overseeing both winery and vineyard operations. Woodley holds bachelors and masters degrees in Literature from Whitman College and the University of Idaho respectively. He came to Woodward Canyon from the Puget Sound with a background in advertising, wine buying/marketing, copywriting and restaurant management.
Rick Small notes, “As we worked through succession planning, it became clear that Kevin and Thomas are integral to the operation of Woodward Canyon and to its future. While we think of them as family, we are happy that after almost a decade of dedication they have officially joined our family in the ownership of the winery.”
The Smalls will continue day to day involvement and management of the winery.
Located in a restored 1870’s farmhouse in Washington’s Walla Walla Valley, the winery was founded in 1981 by Rick Small and Darcey Fugman-Small. They make wine under the Woodward Canyon, Nelms Road and Charbonneau labels which are sold domestically and internationally.