Caleb Foster of Gunpowder Creek Winery & Barragan Vinos
Photos Courtesy of Caleb Foster
Caleb Foster grew up in Connecticut never dreaming he would have a career in the wine industry. He came to WA state in 1986 to attend Whitman College where he majored in frisbee, rock climbing, and English, in that order. After graduating in 1991, Caleb knew he wanted to work outdoors instead of in an office. He first went to work on an organic farm, but soon got restless. One day he rode his bike to L’Ecole 41 for his favorite Semillon, but made a fateful stop first next door at Woodward Canyon. He knew nothing about wine, but told the woman serving wines that he was looking for a job. Owner Rick Small was not there, but the woman took Caleb’s name and phone number. Several days later Caleb got a call from Rick, and he was hired over the phone. From 1991 to 1999, Caleb worked at Woodward Canyon learning everything he could from Rick about winemaking.
As of 2026, Caleb has been making wine in WA for 35 years, and has worked for many different wineries across the state as well as in New Zealand and South Africa. In 2000, he and his then wife Nina Buty co-founded Buty Winery in Walla Walla. Buty became one of the most highly acclaimed labels in the state, with wines on top 100 lists. Currently, Caleb is winemaker for his Gunpowder Creek Winery label and also makes wines for Bosma Estate Winery. Perhaps his most unique wine project is Barragan Vinos, a collaboration between him and the Barragan brothers Jose and Jesus. Using the brothers’ recipe for the winemaking, they produce 4 Barragan Vinos wines that are all perfectly balanced, slightly sweet and low in alcohol. These wines are a huge it with all who try them. Hear more about this unique project as well as Caleb’s many other winemaking endeavors in this interview.
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