Ryan Raber

WINE MAKER

Ryan Raber is a sixth generation Washingtonian. Growing up in Washington he has great pride in the wines being produced in his home state. Ryan’s first experience with wine was in his early teens, making wine at home with his family. Later, as his interest in wine grew, he decided to pursue a career path that would eventually lead him to become the winemaker for Tertulia Cellars.

In the spring of 2001 Ryan worked for Chateau Ste. Michelle giving tours and conducting tastings. A year later Ryan began working in the cellar for Columbia Crest winery, where he worked with their award winning reserve program. In the fall of 2003 Ryan returned to school.

He attended the Center for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College. While in school Ryan received scholarships from Leonetti Cellars as well as the department’s Foundation Scholarship. He also completed an internship working in the vineyards for Columbia and Covey Run Wineries. In the spring of 2005 he graduated with a degree in Enology and Viticulture. Following graduation, Ryan accepted the position as winemaker for Tertulia Cellars where he continues to pursue his passion for winemaking as one of the youngest winemakers in the Walla Walla Valley.

Christina Peet 

SALES

Christina Peet (a.k.a. "C.C."),  hails from the East Coast.  For 10 years, she has been an active part of the restaurant industry, finding that serving in fine dining establishments made college (and beyond) much more affordable.  Graduating from the University of Maine in the Spring of 2003, with a B.A. in History, she soon realized that her true passion was in producing, serving, and enjoying fine food and wine. 

Given her Italian heritage, along with her enjoyment of home winemaking and beer brewing, the next obvious step was to seek out a life where these passions could be lived in full.  Research revealed that Walla Walla, Washington was quickly becoming a Mecca for fine wine enthusiasts whose interests lie in small production, personalized boutique wineries.  So, following their dream for fine wine and adventure, Christina and her husband Aaron headed cross country, with dog and all worldly belongings in tow, to the blossoming Walla Walla wine country.  While her husband studies Wine Making and Wine Marketing, Management, and Business, Christina is gaining invaluable experience running the sales and tasting room for Tertulia Cellars.

Ryan Driver

VINEYARD MANAGER

(We will have a photo soon!)
 

Ryan Driver has lived the majority of his life in the Walla Walla Valley.  Born in Iowa, Ryan moved with his family to Walla Walla at the age of two.  He has always had a love for the outdoors and has worked with the land from a very young age.  This passion came from his grandfather whose farm in Iowa has been in the family for over 100 years.  Ryan started working for Klicker Strawberry farms at age 12.  Over the next twelve years he dedicated his time to learning many aspects of the operation - from picking and delivering, to maintaining and operating equipment.

Ryan studied Mechanical Engineering at Eastern Washington University.  In 2005 he began work as a Trial Manager for Bejo Seed Company where he maintained seed trials for many different crops on approximately 1,200 acres and worked closely with many farmers throughout the Columbia Basin and the Pacific Northwest.  While Ryan loved  his work with Bejo, he had a growing interest in the escalating wine business in Walla Walla.  He decided to pursue his passion for agriculture in a different field.  Enrolling in the Enology and Viticulture program at Walla Walla Community College was the obvious first step for his career.  Shortly after beginning the program, Ryan accepted the position of Vineyard Manager at Tertulia Cellars.

Ryan resides in Walla Walla with his wife Maria, and their daughter Sofia.