• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Resources
Menu

Owen Bargreen

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Resources

Jade Porubek helps craft some beautiful wines for Walla Walla Vintners.

Interview with Jade Porubek, Assistant Winemaker at Walla Walla Vintners

May 28, 2024

Today it is my pleasure to share an interview with Jade Porubek, assistant winemaker at Walla Walla Vintners. Jade is helping craft some beautiful wines at the winery -- everything from crisp Rose and Sauvignon Blanc to inky Syrah. Jade has aspirations to own her own winery someday. She has a biochemistry degree from Western Washington University and she shares her journey in wine. Here is my interview with Jade Porubek.

OB: How did you decide to study wine and learn about wine?

JP: Truthfully, I fell into wine by accident. I had always been interested in wine, however after graduating from Western Washington University with a degree in Biochemistry, I was looking for a job that would allow me to employ my love of chemistry and my agricultural work experience. To my delight, I found that winemaking is a career with tons of variety. Every vintage introduces new challenges to solve and decisions to make, which in turn keeps the work fresh.

OB: Did you have some inspirations in the wine industry prior to landing at Walla Walla Vintners?

JP: I did not have any particular wine inspirations before joining the industry in 2019 as a harvest intern at Walla Walla Vintners. I was interested in trying a wine harvest for a season, but I never would have guessed that I would fall in love with the winemaking process and industry the way I did!

OB: What is it like working with Derrek Vipond at Walla Walla Vintners? What do you like about your wine program in particular? Anything particularly challenging?

JP: I enjoy working with Derrek Vipond because of his well-rounded approach to winemaking. It’s a nice balance of artistic, analytical, and “go-for-it” mentality. Over the past five years he has pushed me to be more confident in my own palate and winemaking ability. In regards to the wine program at Walla Walla Vintners, I most appreciate that we get to work with many great sources of fruit. It’s very educational to receive cabernet from a variety of different sites and be able to assess them throughout their little wine lives. In addition, I personally enjoy working with Sangiovese, as I think it is an interesting varietal and one of my favorites to drink.

OB: What are some of your dreams and aspirations in the wine industry? Do you want to start your own winery someday?

JP: One day, I think I would like my own winery. However, right now I am focused on learning and gaining more experience in making wine from my wonderful mentors. I am continuing to hone my palate and develop my own style of winemaking.

OB: Do you have any favorite wines that you have tasted over the years or any epiphany wines?

JP: This is a hard question…I am fortunate to have tasted many delicious wines so far in my life. Although, I do have a favorite wine related memory. On the day of my 21st birthday I walked down to a bakery in Bellingham and ordered the biggest slice of chocolate cake and a glass of red. The first of many great memories that involve a great glass of wine, some great company, and something to smile about.

← HALL Rose and White WinesMirror Napa Valley →
 

Latest Posts

Featured
Jul 19, 2025
Diamond Creek
Jul 19, 2025
Jul 19, 2025
Jul 18, 2025
DeLille Cellars
Jul 18, 2025
Jul 18, 2025
Jul 16, 2025
L'Ecole No. 41
Jul 16, 2025
Jul 16, 2025
Jul 15, 2025
2025 Sonoma Report:
Jul 15, 2025
Jul 15, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Cimento
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Holocene
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Corison
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Bodega Catena Zapata
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 10, 2025
Altesino
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 10, 2025
Fidelitas
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Lange
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Echolands
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Walter Scott
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Argyle
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Fe Wines
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Prothro Family Wines
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Massican
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Arabilis
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Bibi Graetz
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 2, 2025
Tsillan Cellars
Jul 2, 2025
Jul 2, 2025