Meet the W.T. Family
Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen
Winemaker - Partner
Jeff’s passion for wine and fine cuisine has led him around the world in pursuit of strengthening his knowledge and feeding his passion. He has gained a deep understanding of and appreciation for the vast world of wine while working harvests at esteemed estates in Burgundy, New Zealand and closer to home in Washington and Oregon.
Jeff first developed his interest in wine while working in the corporate world as a buyer for Nordstrom. While the paycheck was good he soon realized that his true passion was wine and food. He went back to school and earned his Certifications through the Court of Master Sommeliers and currently holds the Certification of Advanced Sommelier. He has since had the honor of working with some of the Pacific Northwest’s best restaurants, chefs and sommeliers while honing his craft. Over the last 15 years, Jeff has created some of the Pacific Northwest's most dynamic and celebrated restaurant wine programs these include Cascadia, Wild Ginger Bellevue, Cafe Juanita, and Michael Mina’s RN74. In 2009, Jeff spent a year abroad working for wineries in both Burgundy, France, and New Zealand.
While finding great satisfaction in his work building wine and beverage programs there was still something missing. So in 2007 Jeff took his passion to the next level by founding W.T. Vintners with the White Family. From that first vintage of 50 cases produced in a Woodinville garage Jeff’s vision has been the driving force behind the W.T. Vintners. Most recently Jeff’s skills as both a sommelier and winemaker landed him on the prestigious Wine Enthusiast Magazine Top 40 under 40 Tastemakers in America and W.T. Vintners as a Top 100 Winery in the World from Wine and Spirits Magazine in 2019 and 2020.
Cortney Mills
Partner
Cortney came to wine in a roundabout fashion. Growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota did not afford her many opportunities to taste wine outside of an illicit bottle of Strawberry Hill at a late night party. However, while in college in Seattle, she met Jeff while the two schlepped martinis and barbeque together at a local restaurant. At this point in her life, wine was just a blip on the radar and her energies were focused on the nursing program at Seattle University. As Jeff slipped further down the enological rabbit hole, Cortney never missed a beat. Over a decade later, Cortney finds herself with a highly-tuned palate, having worked harvest on three continents, visited nearly every major grape growing region, as well as dined and reveled with legendary winemakers, vignerons, and chefs across the globe. However, most importantly, she and Jeff are the parents of two beautiful twins: Dashiel and Vivian. Cortney’s role at W.T. Vintners varies from day to day. When she is not caring for her children or patients at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center, she rises to an array of winery tasks. Come harvest time, her greatest talents lie in her role as chief tank scrubber, voice of reason and co-pilot on long vineyard check ups and pick days. Cortney never bats an eye at the challenge and is a voice of support and a crucial champion of W.T. Vintners as we build a lasting legacy and work to elevate Washington wine on the world stage.
George White
Partner
George brings his business talents, technical know-how and shared passion for vino to W.T. Vintners. His introduction to the wine industry started like many other endeavors he has undertaken in his life, amongst friends discussing ideas over a beverage. One night over a particularly tasty scotch, he and Jeff were discussing wine and what it took to turn grapes into something delicious…and the first seed of W.T. Vintners was born. When not imbibing in W.T.’s latest vintage, George spends his days growing his other passion, Headlight, a company he co-founded, which provides technology solutions to government agencies and contractors in the transportation industry.
Casey White
Partner
Casey met George shortly after the winery was formed in 2008. After only meeting Jeff & Cortney a handful of times, she took a leap of faith and went to New Zealand with George to meet up with them towards the end of their year around the world harvest trip. In New Zealand, they visited several wineries in Marlborough and that’s when her love of wine (and bungee jumping!) began.
Over the years, Casey has worked in fashion and now is running a small preschool where their daughter Malin recently graduated and son Mosely attends. At W.T., Casey is busy supporting the growing community through her marketing efforts, working in the tasting room and enjoying the wine with friends and family!