Drew Bledsoe grew up in Walla Walla, Washington, during a time when it was becoming the state’s most famous wine region. Later in life, and following a successful professional football career, Drew returned to his hometown to try his hand at producing wine. While he had been drinking and collecting wine for many years, he knew he would need help making it. Luckily, his neighbor and childhood friend was Chris Figgins, owner and winemaker for the legendary Washington winery, Leonetti Cellar. Drew reconnected with Chris and, following his guidance, planted the estate “McQueen” vineyard at the southern edge of the Walla Walla Valley. And like that, Doubleback Winery was launched with the 2007 vintage with Figgins as the winemaker. Chris continued to make the wines until the 2013 vintage when had to move on to work full-time at Leonetti and his new project, Figgins Family. Since then, the wines have been made by Josh McDaniels, who studied under Chris and worked at Leonetti for almost a decade. Josh, now CEO and winemaker for Doubleback, has become a rising star in the Washington wine scene, most recently being selected to Wine Enthusiast’s “40 Under 40 Tastemakers of 2020” list.