'It's an extension of me': Kyle MacLachlan's Washington winery
Kyle MacLachlan told Robb Report that Pursued by Bear, his Walla Walla winery, is "it's definitely an extension of me." The actor-vintner designed the tasting room himself—choosing floors, wallpaper, and a commissioned bear sculpture—while producing small-lot Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, and Chardonnay with a top Washington winemaking team.
For readers tracking luxury real estate and owner-curated escapes, MacLachlan's project shows how a celebrity can turn a Pacific Northwest wine-country address into a deeply personal sanctuary. His story sits alongside other high-profile property passions in our Luxury Real Estate & Dream Homes hub.
Key Takeaways
- MacLachlan co-owns Pursued by Bear in Walla Walla with winemakers Dan Wampfler and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler.
- He personally shaped the tasting room—floors, wallpaper, and a commissioned giant bear—and calls the space an extension of himself.
- The name references Shakespeare's stage direction "Exit, pursued by a bear," later blessed by Steve Martin.
- MacLachlan visits frequently and has surprised guests who lingered for hours at the tasting room.
- Small-lot reds and Chardonnay reflect mentorship from Napa vintner Ann Colgin and ties to David Lynch's introduction to Lynch-Bages.
Why Did MacLachlan Call the Tasting Room an Extension of Himself?
In a recent interview with Robb Report, MacLachlan said he was at the Walla Walla tasting room the prior weekend, surprising a table of six who stayed four hours. He opened bottles and stayed for extended conversation—behavior that mirrors how he wants the property to feel.
"I chose the floors and wallpaper, and I commissioned a giant bear, so everything's got my hands on it," he said. That owner-driven curation turns a commercial winery into something closer to a bespoke residential showcase—the kind of luxury asset collectors and wine travelers notice.
What Is Pursued by Bear and Who Makes the Wine?
Pursued by Bear is MacLachlan's Walla Walla brand, named after the Shakespeare stage direction "Exit, pursued by a bear." His wife, television producer Desiree Gruber, urged him to return to Washington rather than launch in Napa, framing the move as a homecoming story.
On the winemaking side, he partners with husband-and-wife team Dan Wampfler and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler. Together they produce small-lot Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Chardonnay—bottles MacLachlan has called some of his finest work away from the camera.
How Did Hollywood and Bordeaux Shape His Wine Path?
MacLachlan's palate evolved after David Lynch introduced him to Lynch-Bages during his early career. Napa pilgrimages followed, but the turning point came in 1999 when Ann Colgin became a mentor after an InStyle lunch in Santa Monica. Doug Shafer and other California vintners further deepened his romance with the industry.
He recently traveled to Bordeaux during En Primeur, tasting at Lynch-Bages, Haut-Bailly, Château Margaux, and Mouton Rothschild alongside a small group from a Washington wine auction. That global perspective informs how he positions Pursued by Bear within fine-wine circles.
Can Wine Lovers Meet MacLachlan at the Tasting Room?
MacLachlan said he is "definitely around" Walla Walla, with planned visits in early September and for the fall release in early November. He described surprising visitors who stayed for hours—suggesting encounters are possible, though never guaranteed.
Between upcoming seasons of FX's The Lowdown and Amazon's Fallout, the actor splits time between Hollywood sets and his Washington winery. For travelers chasing celebrity-backed luxury destinations, Pursued by Bear offers prestige bottlings and the rare chance to share a glass with the owner himself.