Our Story
It all started with a chance meeting
Little did Lee and Emily know that a chance meeting on a cold and rainy December afternoon in Seattle would profoundly change the rest of their lives.
When you come for a visit, be sure to ask them to share the story. It's "meet cute" for sure!
That conversation would set the stage for a new chapter rooted in wine, place, and purpose.
Today, Fortuity Cellars thrives in the heart of the Yakima Valley, Washington, with a tasting room in downtown Ellensburg, blending family, craft, and community in every bottle.
We believe that great wine begins with great fruit and strong relationships. From day one, our vision has been simple: partner with exceptional vineyard sites, prioritize quality over volume, and deliver wines that reflect the unique stories of Washington’s terroir.
Lee Fergestrom, Owner/GM/Winemaker
Emily Fergestrom, Owner/Chief Brand Officer/Winemaker
Our Beginnings: From Meeting to Mission
In 2016, Lee and Emily were newly married and exploring life’s next direction. With backgrounds in tech and communications, they envisioned something more—something rooted in place and passion.
A spark, text message, dinner, wine and conversation — and they committed to founding a winery.
In 2017, we started with Chardonnay using leased production space inside Yakima Valley College, 6 white wine barrels, and a borrowed truck.
Later that same year we purchased some stainless steal tanks to make our Viognier and rosé wines. We use these same tanks today… but we have a few more tanks and barrels now.
Building Our Place: Yakima Valley Roots
Our philosophy from the start has been to work intimately with growers—visiting vineyard blocks, understanding soils, slopes and elevations and choosing fruit that showcases Yakima Valley’s world-class terroir.
2017, we established our initial partnerships with some of Washington State’s top growers.
2018, we bottled our first vintage and began introducing Fortuity wines through local events, wine walks, and community tastings.
2019, we broke ground our custom production facility and tasting room in the Yakima Valley.
2020, we completed construction and opened our doors.
Since then we’ve expanded our vineyard sources and varietals, refined our winemaking techniques and deepened relationships across the region.
Expansion & Community: Ellensburg Comes Alive
In fall 2022, we repurposed a historic building in downtown Ellensburg into our Wine + Art tasting room. We restored the space and infused it with local art, creative camaraderie, and new community energy.
The Ellensburg location isn’t just a tasting room—it’s a hub for collaboration: rotating art displays, local nonprofit tie-ins, and a “creative table” that invites guests to bring their own hands-on experience.
We extended our Fortuity Gives philanthropic program to the Kittitas County. Producing quarterly custom art-labeled bottles for community-driven initiatives with proceeds benefiting Kittitas County nonprofits, local artists, and local environmental and cultural programs.
We joined non-profit service oriented organizations with missions to create a vibrant downtown, tourism and community development.
We initiated and foster collaboration among existing and growing number of wineries, wine shops, and breweries in the area.
Craft, Sustainability & Philosophy
Our wines lean bright, balanced, and food-friendly—focusing on Rhône and Bordeaux styles that harmonize with Pacific Northwest cuisine.
We build for quality and longevity—in both wine and community.
From early on, we made sustainable decisions: purchasing only domestically produced glass, lighter glass bottles, eliminating tin and other precious metals from bottle enclosures, eco-conscious cork choices, and long-term partnerships with growers that are committed to sustainable practices.
Part of this philosophy is giving back: supporting farmworker health, community services, environmental, agriculture, and cultural organizations in Yakima Valley and Kittitas County.
We get involved and we lead by example. For the wine industry this means: representing Washington wine at the legislative level, developing funding for Washington tourism, partnering to create better access to technical lab services, collaboration and programing for local wineries and tourism agencies.
Looking Ahead: The Next Pour
We’re only just beginning. We’re exploring new vineyards, expanding club membership reach, and evolving our wine portfolio (sparkling, Bordeaux blends, vineyard-designated offerings).
We hope you’ll join our journey—visit our tasting rooms, enjoy a glass with us, become a club member, travel with us, or simply stay tuned as our story unfolds. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to see what we’re up to now!
