About Helix

130 YEARS & COUNTING

The name Helix honors a family farmstead in Helix, Oregon, where our grandparents met, married, and farmed. Helix represents a long and storied family history in the Washington and Oregon wine and agricultural industries. As fifth generation farmers who settled in the Pacific Northwest via the Oregon Trail, Helix is our dedication to the Columbia Valley distinctive terrain, climate, and soil type; and after 140 years of our family livelihood intertwined with this land, we can think of no better way to honor the land and our history.

THE STORIED DEDICATION

Every grape that grows in Washington tells a story of the massive forces that shaped our land thousands of years ago. Every barrel aging in our cellar is infused with these forces, as well as the spirit of the Walla Walla and Columbia Valleys—a spirit that has shaped our families for six generations.

The story of Helix begins with our pioneering ancestors - John and Susan Tucker - who traveled the Oregon Trail from Colorado, settling in the Weston and Helix region of Northeastern Oregon in 1883. They found fertile land to farm and raised 11 children. When J.B. Tucker died in 1898, he'd accumulated nearly 1,000 acres of land on the lower slopes of Weston Mountain. Like many early homesteaders in the region, the family connection to the region was established and generation upon generation continued to farm, all the while expanding the notion of what is possible in the region's fertile soils.

In the early 1980's, while continuing to raise and produce wheat, several family members became active in the early stages of the Washington wine industry. After 15 plus years of independent activities, we decided it was time to work together to create a wine project built on our long history in the industry and born from our shared love of the region. So, in 2002, our Helix brand was established.

THE PRESENT DAY

Now in our second decade, we believe the wines further express the distinctive flavors of each vineyard. We look for growers who share a strong commitment to quality, are passionate stewards of the land and who have a willingness to work closely with us to produce fruit that strongly reflects our style.

Because our first label, REININGER (est. 1997), is comprised from fruit grown solely in Walla Walla Valley, Helix allows us to extend our geographical reach and produce wines that are stylistically different from REININGER. With access to the diverse and unbounded Columbia Valley, Helix is an exploration of Washington State and an opportunity to introduce a new group of wine enthusiasts to what Washington has to offer.

PARTNERS OF HELIX

Picture of Chuck Reininger, Winemaker & Partner of REININGER & Helix Wines

Chuck Reininger
Winemaker and Partner
A Bellevue, Washington native, Chuck and his wife Tracy Tucker founded REININGER Winery in Walla Walla in 1997. In 2003, they partnered with Tracy’s brothers and their spouses, along with Tracy’s parents, Terry and Ronnie Tucker, to launch Helix. Prior to becoming a winemaker, Chuck worked as a professional mountain guide and climber. Chuck graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a B.A. in Business and Marketing. Chuck oversees winemaking for the wineries’ three brands: REININGER, CPR, and Helix.

Picture of Jay Tucker, Operations Manager & Partner of REININGER & Helix Wines

Jay Tucker
Partner & Operations Manager
A fifth generation farmer, Jay was raised in Walla Walla, Washington and began working in agriculture at an early age. For eighteen years, Jay operated a 4,000 acre Tucker family wheat farm near Helix, Oregon. Prior to that, he attended the University of Idaho, and received an AA degree from Walla Walla Community College. Jay oversees the Walla Walla and Spokane Tasting Rooms and general operations and joined REININGER in 2003. Jay and his brother, Kelly, joined REININGER in 2003 and co-founded the Helix brand with their sister, Tracy Tucker, and brother-in-law, Chuck Reininger.

Ann Tucker
Marketing & Sales

Dorian Williams
Cellar Master

Kristen Healy
Wine Club Manager

Picture of Kelly Tucker, General Manager & Partner of REININGER & Helix Wines

Kelly Tucker
Partner & General Manager
A fifth generation farmer, Kelly was raised in Walla Walla, Washington and began working on the family wheat farm at age 12. Kelly went on to earn a Masters in Agricultural Economics from Washington State University. For fifteen years, Kelly worked as General Manager of Hogue Ranches, including seven years as Treasurer of The Hogue Cellars, in Prosser, WA. Kelly and his brother, Jay, joined REININGER in 2003 and co-founded the Helix brand with their sister, Tracy Tucker, and brother-in-law, Chuck Reininger.

Picture of Ronnie & Terry Tucker, Partners of REININGER & Helix Wines

Ronnie & Terry Tucker
Partners
With lifetime careers in dry land wheat farming as owners and operators near Pendleton and Helix, OR, and Clyde, WA, Terry and Ronnie Tucker have been actively involved in the Washington wine industry since 1989, when they joined with a local group of investors to create Canoe Ridge Vineyards. Terry subsequently served as President of the Board. They were also early partners in Forgeron Cellars. Terry and Ronnie joined REININGER and Helix in 2003. Although they no longer participate in day-to-day operations, their contributions in the Valley's wine industry are far-reaching.