REMEMBERING KEN HARRISON

Founder of Abeja

October 14, 1942 – March 31, 2026

We are deeply saddened to share news of the passing of our friend and founder, Ken Harrison. Ken passed away in Walla Walla on March 31, 2026, at the age of 83, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Ken founded Abeja in 2001 with his wife, Ginger. His impact on Washington wine was shaped by a rare combination of vision and craftsmanship, grounded in an appreciation for aesthetic beauty and hospitality. Following a successful business career in Portland, he bypassed a predictable interest in Oregon Pinot Noir for the road less traveled. He arrived in the Walla Walla Valley in the late 1990s with an enduring conviction that the region’s unique terroir could produce Cabernet Sauvignon of global distinction.

With the creation of The Inn at Abeja, Ken helped build Walla Walla’s reputation as a premier wine country destination. He recognized that for the region to be truly world-class, the guest experience had to match the caliber of the wines. By meticulously restoring our historic Mill Creek farmstead, he and Ginger created a setting for an immersive wine-country experience.

Building a Legacy to Endure

Ken was defined by his ability to recognize potential overlooked by others, whether in the promise of a raw parcel of land or a dilapidated timber barn seemingly destined for the wrecking ball. This intuition led to the founding of Abeja Winery & Inn in 2001, a legacy designed to endure. Drawing on the model of European estates, he believed that great wine should be rooted in a consistent, estate-driven style. This commitment was most evident in Abeja’s Walla Walla Valley vineyards, beginning with the restoration of the Mill Creek estate vineyards surrounding Abeja and the planting of Heather Hill Vineyard in 2001. He developed and planted Skysill Vineyard in 2016, a mile northeast of Abeja. The hillside estate, with panoramic views of the Blue Mountains and surrounding wheat fields, was one of his proudest achievements.

Preserving Walla Walla’s Agricultural Roots

“What made Ken’s vision so unique was his patience,” says Dan Wampfler, who has shared general manager and winemaking duties at Abeja with his wife Amy since 2016. “Ken wasn’t just looking to make a great bottle of wine; he wanted to build a viticultural foundation that would stand the test of time. To Ken, the estate vineyards and the beauty of Abeja’s farmstead were the heritage of Abeja. He and Ginger were drawn to the idea of preserving a piece of Walla Walla’s agricultural history, approaching the property with respect for what it had been and what it could become. He understood that the same commitment to craftsmanship that defines the wine should carry through to the guest experience, and he wanted people to feel that connection in the very place the wine is grown.”

The Harrisons’ discovery of the historic Mill Creek farmstead became central to Abeja’s identity. Set across 42 acres, the estate offered more than a place to grow grapes and make wine. It became the foundation for a true wine country experience, rooted in an appreciation for the landscape’s beauty and a deep sense of place.

With a commitment to honoring its history, the Harrisons oversaw the thoughtful restoration of the century-old farmstead, preserving its character while giving it new life as both a winery and as The Inn at Abeja. The farm’s original outbuildings were transformed into private cottages and guest suites, where antique furnishings, vintage hardware, period light fixtures, and reclaimed barn doors, collected and curated over a lifetime, were given new purpose.

“Ken loved this place and felt it was meant to be shared,” said Amy Alvarez-Wampfler. “He found real joy in connecting with guests, over breakfast in the morning or a glass of wine on the porch. Often, that meant opening a special bottle from his cellar, drawn from a remarkable collection he built over many years, and sharing it in a way that felt personal and unforgettable. That generosity defines his legacy.”

Ken is survived by his wife, and Abeja co-founder, Ginger Harrison; his daughter, Heather Harrison; his granddaughters, July and Jasper Rey; and his son, Mathew Harrison. Information regarding services and memorial contributions will be shared as it becomes available.

Posted: April 1, 2026

The Bell Has Found Its Home

At Ken’s Celebration of Life, held at Abeja on June 14, 2026, Amy Alvarez-Wampfler shared the story of something many at Abeja had come to know simply as “the bell.”

More than 20 years ago, Ken and Ginger purchased a beautiful, custom-made bronze bell. It was meant to become part of this property and part of the Abeja story.

There was just one small challenge: Ken could never quite decide where it should hang.

Over the years, the bell became something of a legend. Every couple of years, Ken would bring it up, or someone else would ask, “Whatever happened to the bell?” Possible locations would be discussed, ideas considered, and everyone would imagine hearing it ring across the property.

Then life would get busy, the conversation would fade, and the bell would continue waiting for its place.

Year after year, harvest after harvest, the bell remained unhung. Yet somehow, it stayed in our conversations and in our memories, becoming one of those uniquely Ken stories that always seemed to come back around.

After Ken’s passing, the Abeja team began talking about the most fitting way to honor him. We soon realized that the answer had been sitting right in front of us all along.

We would hang the bell.

For the first time, it now rings on the property where Ken and Ginger intended it to be. While Ken never settled on the perfect location, perhaps the timing was the part of the plan none of us understood. The bell had waited all these years for this moment.

Its sound will serve as a reminder of Ken—his vision, his presence, his stories and even his habit of carefully considering every decision. It reminds us that some things are worth waiting for, and that the things we leave unfinished can still become meaningful parts of our legacy.

But the bell is not only about looking back. It also marks the beginning of something new.

In Ken’s honor, ringing the bell will become an Abeja tradition. At the end of every harvest, it will sound to mark the completion of another season’s work. It will celebrate the efforts of everyone who helped bring in the harvest, while reminding us of the people who helped build this place and shape its future.

Each year, when the bell rings across the property, a part of Ken’s story will ring with it.

At the conclusion of Ken’s Celebration of Life, the bell was rung three times: once in remembrance of his life, once in gratitude for all he gave, and once in honor of the legacy that will continue every time the bell is rung at harvest.

After more than two decades of waiting, the bell has finally found its home.

Posted June 14, 2026