PROSSER, WA — April 2026 — McKinley Springs Winery is proud to announce the release of Eagle Red, a new wine created in partnership with Eastern Washington University. The wine will make its debut at the EWU Alumni Awards Gala at Northern Quest Resort & Casino on April 25, with broader availability to follow.
Eagle Red is the first-ever EWU-licensed wine and was developed as a way to connect alumni and supporters with Eastern Washington through a shared experience. A portion of proceeds from each bottle will go toward supporting EWU programs, including the Alumni Legacy Scholarship.
Eagle Red is now available for purchase at mckinleysprings.com, with limited initial availability.
Kelsey Hatch-Brecek, Eastern’s director of alumni relations, says the new release is the culmination of a two-year process during which she worked closely with winemaker and EWU alumnus Reid Klei (’05).
“I’m excited to roll out this bold new wine to the Eagle Nation and to raise our profile among the state’s broader community of wine connoisseurs,” says Hatch-Brecek. “More importantly, we’re looking forward to the benefits this partnership will bring to campus, as a portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold will come back to Eastern and the Alumni Legacy Scholarship.”
“I got into wine almost immediately after graduating from EWU, and I’ve been doing it for over 20 years now,” said Reid Klei, a 2005 graduate of Eastern Washington University and winemaker at McKinley Springs Winery. “This idea has been in the back of my mind the whole time, I just hadn’t had the opportunity until recently. I wanted a way to stay connected to EWU and give back for everything I got out of my time there.”
The wine is a Washington-grown red blend composed of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 8% Syrah, varieties that reflect both the strength of the region and the winery’s estate vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA.
“For the blend, I brought together three varieties that really express Washington wine, and especially our estate vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah,” Klei said. “Cab brings the structure, Merlot fills out the mid-palate and adds richness, and Syrah
softens everything and gives it some length. On their own, each one is good, but together, the blend is better than any single piece. Honestly, it’s kind of like the EWU community, everyone brings something different to the table, and it’s stronger because of it.”
Eagle Red is designed to be approachable and versatile, with notes of dark cherry and plum, smooth texture, and balanced structure, suited for both everyday enjoyment and special occasions.
Eagle Red will also be available at select Spokane-area bottle shops. An official Tri Cities launch will follow on May 30 at the McKinley Springs tasting room in Richland, where the wine will be available to the public.
“This is more than just a wine,” Klei added. “It’s a way for alumni to stay connected and support something meaningful while sharing a bottle with friends and family.”
About McKinley Springs Winery
McKinley Springs Winery is located in Prosser, Washington, and sources fruit from its estate vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The winery is owned and operated by the Andrews family, including Rob and Angela Andrews and their son Justin Andrews;
Scott and Dana Andrews and their sons Brian and Dan Andrews; and son-in-law Chad Barnhart, a fourth-generation farming family with deep roots in the region dating back to 1941.
The family planted its first wine grapes in 1980, including a block of Cabernet Sauvignon that remains in production today, and has since grown to farm thousands of acres of wine grapes across the Horse Heaven Hills. McKinley Springs focuses on producing wines that reflect both site and variety, with an emphasis on balance, structure, and approachability.
