Don Watts (farmer)

Watts was born to an auto mechanic[2] in Ketchikan, Alaska,[3] and grew up "humbly" in Tri-Cities, Washington, where he spent his summers as a farmworker.[2] One year, after working on an irrigation system on a farm, Watts' boss challenged him to get into the potato farming business.[2] In the 1970s, Watts followed the advice and purchased a plot of land in Burbank, Washington, and focused his business on vertical integration where he saw opportunities in profits around packaging and selling produce to other businesses,[2] becoming a primary potato supplier to McDonald's.[4]

In 1977,[5] Watts and his brother, Doug, founded Watts Brothers Farms in Kennewick.[6] In 2001, Doug sold his stake to Don out of growing concerns for the risks and significant debt the company held.[2] By 2007,[1] Conagra foods was the farms' largest customer, purchasing 18%[2] of the company's $100 million in annual production.[7] To reduce risk,[2] Watts requested Conagra cut their purchasing down to 15%, which led Conagra to instead acquire the 20,000 acre farm and the entirety of its operations, including an organic dairy facility.[2][7][8]

In 1994, Watts planted a 300-acre vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills AVA, 30 miles south of Prosser, Washington.[9][10] The vineyard supplies grapes to several wineries in Washington,[11] including for two award-winning wines.[12][13][14] The vineyard is jointly owned by Watts and Hogue Ranch,[15] an award-winning winery,[16] and was developed by Wade Wolfe,[15][14] who helped shape Washington's wine industry.[17]

In 2007, Watts founded Swiftwater Cellars in Suncadia Resort, near Roslyn and Cle Elum, Washington. The winery opened in 2010.[18] The winery overlooks one of the resort's golf courses, Rope Rider, and hosts its pro shop. The winery's 41,000 square foot property also features a restaurant, Hoist House, and an outdoor concert venue that seats 2,500.[9][19][11] The band Lonestar has played at the venue.[20]

There is also a boutique, which is run by Watts' wife, Lori, and a family friend.[1]

Swiftwater Cellars has won several awards for its wines.[21] Parade named the winery in one of its 55 best honeymoon destinations in 2021.[22]

In 2017, Watts opened a second location in Bellevue, Washington,[23] but it was forced to close in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[24]

Watts married his wife, Lori, at age 17. As of September 2010, they had two sons and one grandchild.[20]

In 2007, Watts was selected by Governor Christine Gregoire to serve on Eastern Washington's advisory council.[25]

In 2008, Watts and his wife made a multi-million dollar donation to the Kadlec Foundation to build a new pediatric center in the Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington.[26]