Wallace E. Opdycke

1937 - 2018

Wallace (Wally) E. Opdycke

Founding President of Ste. Michelle Vintners

Wallace E. (Wally) Opdycke passed away October 13, 2018 at the age of 81, at his home in Whitefish, Montana surrounded by his wife Nicola Opdycke, and his loyal caregivers - Miguel, Maria, and Monica. He had been courageous in his efforts to deal with the effects of Alzheimers over the past several years-always maintaining a sense of pride and sharing a quiet but enjoyable sense of humor.

He was born in Seattle on July 27, 1937 to his loving parents, Edgar and Edith Opdycke. His formative years were spent in Seattle where he graduated from Roosevelt High school (1955), went on to the University of Washington where he graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration (1959). He also attended the Graduate School Of Business at U. of W. before he moved to San Francisco to start his business career. There he joined the firm of C.J. Devine, one of the largest dealers in United States Government securities. It was not long thereafter his love of the Pacific Northwest drew him back to Seattle where he joined the investment firm of Marshall & Meyer. In his next move, he worked for SAFECO Insurance Co. as an investment account manager, and began to formulate a friendship with several other Seattle business associates including attorney Mike Garvey, Kirby Kramer, and Don Neilson who later became his partners in acquiring American Wine Growers (AWG). On May 1, 1973, the company was officially renamed as Ste. Michelle Vintners, Inc. and Wally became the Founding President. Within two years, his vision for the company led him to seek additional capital to finance expansion and the building of a new winery in Woodinville. It was then that he teamed up with U.S. Tobacco Company which subsequently bought out the company while asking Wally to stay on to run the operation. Re-named Chateau Ste. Michelle, the new winery was opened on September 21, 1976 . Although long since retired, Wally was asked to participle in the Winery's 50th Anniversary last year, where he celebrated with many of the state's leading winemakers. His vision along with others over the years, contributed significantly to the growth and success of the Washington state wine industry.

After the wine business, Wally pursued his interests as an investor and entrepreneur, and over the next several years was affiliated with a number of well known Seattle based companies including: K2 Corporation, Tollycraft, Vernell's Fine Candies, and Commerce Bank of Washington. In 2003, he was awarded the University of Washington Foster School of Business Distinguished Leadership Award.

In his retirement he pursued his hobbies which included airplanes, cars and boats. He became an avid seaplane pilot, fly fisherman, and golfer while enjoying time exploring the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Montana and Hawaii. He was an active member a several golf clubs throughout the area; among his favorites were Hualalai and Nanea Golf Club on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Wally is survived by his wife Nicola Opdycke, daughter Linda L. Opdycke, his son Thomas C. Opdycke and his wife Thalia along with their two children, Merritt and Celine. He also has a brother, Thomas F. Opdycke living in San Francisco, and a sister, Anita M. Gray of Alpharetta, Georgia.

His step mother, Elinor Opdycke, currently resides in Bellevue, Washington.