Tyler Dutton

Tyler grew up in western Washington and studied biology and chemistry at Washington State University. While at WSU, he developed an interest in wine and became fascinated by the combination of science, agriculture, and craftsmanship behind winemaking. Although he initially planned to pursue a career in medicine, he ultimately decided to take some time to travel after completing his undergraduate degree. That decision led him to New Zealand on a working holiday visa, where an unexpected encounter with a group of young winemakers introduced him to the industry. Three days after meeting them, Tyler found himself in a winery scrubbing tanks and preparing for harvest. He was hooked. Over the next several years, he followed harvests around the world, working in New Zealand, Australia, California, Oregon, and Washington and gaining experience with a wide range of grape varieties, regions, and winemaking styles.

In 2018, Tyler joined Tranche Estates in Walla Walla, where he helped oversee cellar production and held lead winemaking responsibilities for the Secret Squirrel and San Juan Vineyard brands. With more than a decade of experience in the wine industry, he has worked across nearly every stage of production, from harvest and cellar work to strategic planning and operational leadership.