Hyatt Vineyards Announces New Winemaker Samantha Mallery, Joining General Manager Ashley Koempel to Lead the Winery into the Future
Yakima Valley, WA – [August 8th, 2025] – Hyatt Vineyards (Hyatt) is pleased to announce the appointment of Samantha Mallery as the winery’s new winemaker, a move that highlights the winery’s commitment to blending tradition and innovation. Samantha will work alongside General Manager Ashley Koempel, forming a dynamic leadership team focused on elevating Hyatt and pushing the boundaries of exceptional winemaking and wine-tasting experience.
Samantha brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as head winemaker at Dineen Vineyards, where she crafted 90+ point wines. Previous to Dineen, she was a contributing member of the winemaking leadership team at Owen Roe and is a graduate of the Vineyard Management and Enology programs at Yakima Valley College. Passionate about both the art and science of winemaking, Samantha is also an adjunct teacher at YVC and serves as the Mentorship Chair for the Alliance of Women in Washington Wine. Her approach blends traditional winemaking techniques with innovative practices that will help elevate the winery’s portfolio.
“Hyatt’s strong tradition of quality and legacy of excellence resonates with my own values as a winemaker, making this new opportunity both an honor and a natural step for me,” said Samantha. “The blending of tradition with new ideas is what makes the Hyatt wines so special, and I’m thrilled to bring my experience and creativity to continue building on that foundation.”
Joining Samantha in leading Hyatt is General Manager Ashley Koempel, who discovered her passion for wine at a young age. After studying abroad in Italy and gaining hands-on experience in small winery production and spirits sales, Ashley returned to Washington wine country where she worked as tasting room lead for Owen Roe and from there, transitioned into the role of Senior Brand manager at Vintage Wine Estates. A Certified Sommelier, Ashley is focused on making wine more approachable and inclusive while driving innovation within the winery. Her work as general manager goes beyond wine style, as she manages both the direct-to-consumer team as well as overseeing distribution channels.
“I’m excited to welcome Samantha to the Hyatt Vineyards family. Having Samantha at the helm of winemaking marks an exciting new chapter for Hyatt” said Ashley, who joined Hyatt last year. “Our shared passion for blending tradition with innovation will allow us to bring new perspectives to the winery, ensuring we continue producing wines that capture the essence of the Yakima Valley while appealing to a new generation of wine lovers.”
Together, Samantha and Ashley represent a perfect pairing of experience, vision and passion—just like the wines at Hyatt Vineyards. Their collaboration is rooted in the winery’s commitment to blending tradition and innovation, ensuring Hyatt Vineyards will continue to craft wines that inspire, excite, and reflect the unique terroir of the Yakima Valley.
About Hyatt Vineyards:
Nestled in the heart of Washington’s Yakima Valley, Hyatt Vineyards is a family-owned estate winery with a rich legacy and a passion for crafting wines that reflect the land we call home. Founded by Leland and Lynda Hyatt in 1983, what began as a small vineyard quickly grew into a full-production winery—built on hard work, dedication, and a love for winemaking.
Today, Hyatt Vineyards farms over 78 acres of 100% estate-grown vineyards in the acclaimed Rattlesnake Hills AVA. We grow 11 different varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Riesling, which allows us to produce a diverse and expressive portfolio of wines. Collectively, our three brands produce approximately 7,500 cases annually, a scale that allows us to remain committed to small-lot winemaking that honors our fruit, our region, and our legacy.
For more than 40 years, Hyatt has blended tradition with innovation to create wines that honor our past while embracing the future. The next generation proudly carries that vision forward—crafting memorable wines and meaningful experiences, all while staying true to the spirit of Hyatt Vineyards.
Hyatt Vineyards — Where tradition and innovation are seamlessly blended to craft exceptional wines.
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