Kelsey Albro Itämeri, owner and winemaker of itä wines, has purchased Devona from John and Molly Abbott, bringing together two respected Walla Walla wineries under shared ownership while preserving the distinct identity, style, and customer experience of each brand.

Devona and itä wines will move forward as coequal sister wineries, both rooted in the same philosophy: a deep sense of wonder, respect, and responsibility to the sites that produce their grapes and to the art of making wines with complexity, elegance, and balance. Devona will continue to reflect the classic, rich, and deeply nuanced style shaped by John Abbott’s decades of experience, while itä will continue its focus on high-elevation Blue Mountain foothills fruit and minimal-intervention wines known for their joyful freshness and natural acidity. These differences will offer guests of the two wineries the opportunity to explore new wine expressions along with what they have known and loved.

The transition builds on a relationship that began in 2020, when itä first worked with Devona through a crush-and-go arrangement, processing grapes at Devona before completing fermentation in-house, a common, lower-cost way for a young winery to get its start and also a long tradition in the Walla Walla Valley wine community. That collaboration deepened over the years, including two seasons of full custom crush at Devona when Kelsey and itä needed extra hands following the birth of her two children. With the support of John, Molly, and the entire Devona team, those vintages were, quite literally, raised alongside the newest generation of the Itämeri family. Along the way, we developed a close working relationship grounded in mutual trust, shared values, and respect for one another’s wines. 

The wines will be made at the current Devona facility by the combined winemaking team of Kelsey Albro Itämeri, John Abbott, and Enrique Ibarra. John and Molly Abbott will remain closely involved through a gradual transition, helping ensure continuity for Devona customers and supporting the combined winemaking team. Both wineries will continue normal operations without interruption.

All of us at Devona look forward to beginning this new chapter and sharing more with you in the weeks and months to come…

Founders John and Molly Abbott were fortunate to be in Oregon at a time when the vintages -- 1984, 1985 and 1986 -- were those that began to put Oregon Pinot Noir on the map. They were enamored of these wines, and John's pre-vet major at Oregon State University began to take a change of course. When the opportunity came for John to study viticulture and enology at Fresno State University, he jumped at the chance. After he finished school, the jobs in California were more abundant, and John went to work for Pine Ridge Winery, where he worked with high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. When a position became available at the renowned Acacia Winery, it seemed a perfect fit to explore that elusive varietal Pinot Noir, and along with it, Chardonnay.

The Abbott’s long history in Washington State began in the early 90’s when, while working at Acacia Winery in the Napa Valley, John was asked to help put together what would eventually become Canoe Ridge Vineyard. This was the Chalone Wine Group’s first endeavor in Washington State. In 1994, they moved to Walla Walla to commit fully to the project. Canoe Ridge Vineyard was at the forefront of Washington State’s early reputation for fine Merlot, and John and Molly were part of a very small community of Walla Walla wineries. Canoe Ridge Vineyard was just the seventh in the Valley and the first created with an outside influence.

In the early 2000’s John longed to spend more time in the vineyards and the cellar. By that time, he and Molly had become acquainted with Ken and Ginger Harrison, who were quickly establishing themselves as new, respected members of the Walla Walla Valley wine community. After many discussions, they joined forces and created Abeja, a winery that soon became a leader in Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

After ten years with Canoe Ridge Vineyard and 13 years with Abeja, they decided to leap into new terrain and create Devona. The one varietal that they were fascinated by, but hadn’t gotten to work with extensively, was Pinot Noir. So, in addition to Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay, Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley was added to the portfolio.

Today, with Kelsey’s purchase of Devona, the commitment to the quality and style of Devona wine continues., carrying forward the legacy of Devona in tandem with itä.