Winemaker Morgan Lee founded Two Vintners in 2007. Known for eschewing trends and with a focus on trying something new, Morgan has led Two Vintners to be a celebrated Washington winery with especially good Syrah. Learn about Morgan Lee…
Hometown: I was born in St. Joseph, MI but spent my formative years in Lafayette, IN, home of Purdue University.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in WA: My family visited WA when I was 17, and I was immediately hooked. If I am in the mountains or near water, I am happy. Our family makes a lot of use out of camping, trail running, hiking, swimming. You name it. We also adore the Northwest food culture…perhaps too much.
First job: Paperboy. I can’t remember how long it lasted but I had a lot of complaints because I was always late. I’m not much of a morning person.
Person who has impacted your life the most and why: I have been incredibly blessed by so many figures in my life. Spoiled, really, by great men and women who have shaped me and I don’t take that for granted. However, my wife and the grace she has for me and the mother that she is and the fact that she was willing to go on this winemaking adventure with me is everything. She is my greatest gift, and she challenges me more often than not.
Your biggest accomplishment in your eyes and why: Besides our children? Being a winemaker was a dream. Sally and I left our families in our 20’s and moved to the other side of the country where we had nothing and knew no one, and we accomplished that dream. It was daunting. Terrifying. We had no business trying it but we did it and that is huge.
The biggest obstacle you have overcome: The loss of my little brother to cancer, but I can’t say that I have overcome that yet.
Someone who inspires you and why: So many answers to this. I don’t even know where to start.
Favorite quote: “Less is more”—Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, architect
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Make sure that you have a lot of patience and can be happy without having a lot of money for a long time.
What you think makes someone fabulous: Being nice to others. It seems like the simplest thing in the world, but it is exceedingly rare.