Our estate vineyards are deeply rooted in Bainbridge Island history.

The history of our vineyards goes back to 1977, and our farmland to 1928

The Day Road acreage where the winery currently sits was purchased by the Bentryns from Japanese-American farmer Akio Suyematsu, and represented only a part of the original Suyematsu family farm, founded in 1928.  Except during the period of Japanese-American exclusion during World War II, the Day Road farm is the oldest, continuously farmed property in Kitsap County.  Akio himself worked the land until his passing in 2012, and was an honored mentor to an emerging generation of Island farmers.  Once part of the agricultural tradition that made Bainbridge Island the strawberry capital of the Northwest, the land is still tended by several working farms.

1977 - first vineyards established

Gerard and Jo Ann Bentryn founded Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery in 1977, after being inspired by their study of viticulture and enology in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.  Having cultivated a particular affinity for the elegant, aromatic wines of the Loire in France and the Mosel in Germany, the Bentryns sought out a bioregion with similar growing conditions, and were moved to create an experience of food and wine deeply rooted in place here in the Pacific Northwest.  The Bentryns chose to settle in the Puget Sound, where the long, dry summer days are even more ideal for vinifera than some European wine regions.

1982 - Became the 84th bonded winery in wa

The Bentryns released their inaugural estate-grown vintage in 1982, becoming the 84th bonded winery in Washington State.  That year, the Bentryns purchased farmland on Day Road, in addition to their original one-acre vineyard in downtown Winslow.  The Day Road property would become the present-day home of the winery, planted with 8 acres of grape varieties carefully selected for their ability to thrive in the Maritime Northwest. 

1995 - Puget sound ava established

As part of the Bentryns' pioneering work in the region's grape-growing movement, Gerard was instrumental in the certification of the Puget Sound Viticultural Area (AVA)/Appellation in 1995. He inspired many to grow grapes and open wineries in the region.

2013 to present - Betsey wittick reopens vineyards

When the Bentryns retired, longtime friend and employee Betsey Wittick reopened the vineyards and winery under new cooperative ownership in 2013. She is the heartbeat of Bainbridge Vineyards, as our grape grower, wine maker, and head owner. She continues to encourage and educate future farmers through an internship program that runs every Summer.