COUGAR CREST ESTATE WINERY was established at the Walla Walla airport in 2001 by Deborah and David Hansen. Natives of the Northwest, Deborah from Spokane and David from Bremerton, they met in Pullman while attending Washington State University. For two people with a love of fine wine and lots of science education, the progression from growing grapes to making wine came naturally. Dabbling in winemaking at home led to bigger things. Starting in 1999, David and Deborah made many trips back to UC Davis to take classes in many different subjects, but always about winemaking and grape growing. The following year, the idea of starting their own winery was born, and in 2001 the long sought after winery license arrived.