Saint
Laurent Winery Owners Honored
Michael and
Laura Mrachek Receive Alumni Achievement Award
from Washington State University
WENATCHEE,
Wash.—(November 7, 2008)—Co-owners of Saint Laurent
Winery Michael and Laura Mrachek have plenty to be
pleased about—not that they’re likely to rest on their
laurels any time soon. The duo was awarded Washington
State University (W.S.U.) Alumni Association’s highest
honor, the Alumni Achievement Award, because of their
significant and ongoing service to W.S.U. as well as
their community and profession.
Only 469 of over 250,000 W.S.U. alumnae have received
the prestigious award, which was established in 1970.
The Mrachecks were further honored by the College of
Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences when
they were also inducted into their Hall of Honored
Alumni.
Fruit growers in Washington State for more than 30
years, the Mracheks are still hard at work furthering
their century-old family history. When they added wine
grape production to their farming operation, Lucky
Bohemian Farms, in 1999, Michael felt it would ensure
that venerable legacy. With this history, the Mracheks
have always felt compelled to become ever more involved
through leadership and stewardship.
Among their contributions, the Mracheks introduced
innovations to the fruit industry that will benefit
fruit growers and managers across North America for
generations to come. Included among their material
contributions are donations of winemaking equipment to
the W.S.U. Viticulture and Enology Department.
Highly involved in all aspects of the industry, the
Mracheks are also members and board members of numerous
associations, commissions and committees relating to
viticulture and horticulture. Michael is a board member
and 2009 President for the Washington State Fruit
Commission; Laura is a board member and 2009 President
of the Washington State Horticultural Association, as
well as founder of their horticulture awards program for
women.
The Mracheks’ Saint Laurent Winery has already produced
numerous award-winning wines and was named “Washington
Winery to Watch” by Wine Press Northwest in 2007, the
same year in which the Mrachek’s were named Good Fruit
Growers of the Year by Good Fruit Growers
magazine.
As it happens, the fruit doesn’t fall far from the vine:
The Mracheks’ son Bryan graduated from W.S.U. in May
2008 with a degree in viticulture and enology, and is
currently working in the wine industry.
Saint Laurent Winery is located at 4147 Hamlin Rd.,
Malaga, Wash. just outside of Wenatchee. Named 2007
Washington Winery to Watch in
Wine Press Northwest, Saint Laurent is
best known for its Syrah,
Cabernet Sauvignon and premium Rosé. Owners
Michael and Laura Laurent Mrachek, successful, quality
fruit growers since 1978, first planted Merlot and
Cabernet in 1999. Today the
vineyards blanket 260 acres on the Wahluke Slope,
producing wines which are artfully crafted by Winemaker
Craig Mitrakul. The Mracheks’ vineyards are still
considered strategic to the premium wine program for
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and ten percent of the very
best grapes are reserved for the fine wines at Saint
Laurent Winery. Tasting room hours are every day noon to
5 p.m. from May through September and Thursday through
Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. from October through April, or
by appointment. Saint Laurent’s picturesque grounds are
also available for private events. For more information,
call (509) 888-WINE or visit
www.saintlaurent.net.
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