People Behind the Pour: A Legacy of Love and Perseverance Grows at Succession Wines

March is Women’s History Month, and WeRise Wines is proud to amplify the voices of women in wine across the industry. This month, we’re honored to shine a light on co-founder and owner of Succession Wines, Erica Lindsay.  

As we caught up with Erica, the story of Succession Wines illuminated how passion and perseverance can not only build a winery from the ground up but also foster a strong community even amid life’s most challenging moments. 

The earliest seeds of starting a winery were planted when Erica’s husband Brock studied abroad in Italy during college. Sitting with his mother overlooking a beautiful vineyard, he declared his dream: "Mom, I want to own a vineyard. I want to get into wine. This is something that I love. I feel passionate about it."

For Brock and Erica, wine was never just about the drink itself. As Erica explains, "It's about the whole experience. It's about how good food and wine bring together good people. And there are stories that stem from that through experiences and friendships."

The couple's journey to winemaking began with a piece of property in eastern Washington, about an hour outside of Chelan. While both maintained corporate careers – Brock as a civil engineer and Erica in tech– they spent weekends camping on their land and exploring the local wine scene. What started as a retirement dream accelerated dramatically when Succession Wines was born—literally from fire. 

In the summer of 2014, Erica and Brock welcomed their first daughter. Just two weeks later, they lost their home from the devastating Carlton Complex Fire, which to date has been the largest single wildfire recorded in history in Washington state. 

Rather than viewing this as a setback, the Lindsays saw it as a catalyst for change. "We did not take that or see that as a 'woe is me' moment," Erica recalls. "We saw it as an opportunity to really identify and assess what our priorities were."

The winery's name, Succession, emerged from this pivotal moment. As Erica explains, "There’s a process of change to the environment after an event like a wildfire, called ecological succession. In its simplest form, it's the order of things. For us, it immediately resonated, like this is the order of things in our life. This was supposed to be the next step."

Now in its 10th year, Succession Wines worked to establish itself with a clear philosophy of intentional winemaking. "Everything we do is 100% varietal unless it's stated as a blend," Erica notes. "We always have believed in just the purity of the varietal and being very honest and transparent with what's in the bottle."

The winery's success stems from more than just excellent wine – it's about creating an atmosphere that felt like an extension of the Lindsays' home. 

"If you came to our home, we would give you a hug, we would greet you with wine, appetizers, food, friendship, and a good time,” says Erica. “We also wanted that feeling to be there in the tasting room.” Their approach has resonated with visitors, who often remark, "I can't put my finger on it, but there's just something that feels good about this place."

Tragically, in the summer of 2023, Brock passed away from an inconceivable accident. Now Erica is continuing their shared dream and legacy. With remarkable strength, she has taken on full ownership of the winery's operations, learning everything from driving tractors to managing distribution. "I've learned that I'm stronger than I realized and that I have persevered, and I will continue to do that," she reflects.

“Our mission is to share and showcase the beauty of the fruit,” says Erica. “We believe that first and foremost, you must have good wine, but then it has to be about the experience. We live in an area that is driven by tourism. It gives us an opportunity to tailor those experiences. It's not just about wine and pouring it. We really get to know our guests. They're always guests. They're not customers, not clients. They're our guests.”

Succession Wines remains true to its core mission of creating exceptional wines and meaningful experiences through all the challenges and changes. As Erica puts it, "Respecting the past while looking toward the future" continues to guide their path forward. Thank you for continuing to make [Women’s] history, Erica!

WeRise is thrilled to partner with Succession Wines to amplify their story. For more stories like this and to experience the unique flavors of diverse winemakers, visit our blog and see us at our new wine bar that is now open. To learn more about Erica and Succession Wines, check out their website and sign up for the WeRise newsletter so you’re the first to know about news and events at WeRise Wines.