About the Producer
Leonetti Cellar was founded in 1977 by Gary and Nancy Figgins as the first commercial winery in Walla Walla. But the family’s legacy in the valley reaches back much further—over a hundred years to when Gary’s grandparents, Francesco and Rosa Leonetti, first established their farm in 1906. It was on that same land, rich with deep silt loam and family memory, that Gary planted his first commercial vineyard in 1974, unknowingly laying the foundation for an entire wine industry in the region.
Inspired by his grandfather’s humble fermentations in a dirt-floor basement, Gary named the winery in honor of the Leonetti legacy. That spirit of discipline, sacrifice, and relentless dedication continues to shape the family’s vision. Today, Gary and Nancy’s children, Chris Figgins and Amy Figgins, carry forward the family’s commitment to excellence. With deep respect for the past and a tireless drive toward the future, Chris and Amy are building upon the foundation their parents created—pursuing thoughtful innovation and seeking new opportunities to ensure Leonetti Cellar thrives for generations to come.
Inspired by his grandfather’s humble fermentations in a dirt-floor basement, Gary named the winery in honor of the Leonetti legacy. That spirit of discipline, sacrifice, and relentless dedication continues to shape the family’s vision.
Today, Gary and Nancy’s children, Chris Figgins and Amy Figgins, carry forward the family’s commitment to excellence. With deep respect for the past and a tireless drive toward the future, Chris and Amy are building upon the foundation their parents created—pursuing thoughtful innovation and seeking new opportunities to ensure Leonetti Cellar thrives for generations to come.
Chris Figgins is the CEO and Winemaking Director of Figgins Family Wine Estates (FFWE). He succeeds his parents, Gary and Nancy Figgins, who founded Leonetti Cellar in 1977—the first winery established in Walla Walla. Raised in the family business, Chris officially joined Leonetti in 1996 after earning a degree in Horticulture from Washington State University. He became the head winemaker in 2001. In addition to overseeing all winemaking and operational aspects of FFWE, Chris directs the estate’s viticulture program across six vineyard sites—five in the Walla Walla Valley AVA and one in the Chehalem Mountains AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Under his leadership, Leonetti has evolved into a fully estate-grown winery, and Chris is widely recognized for his forward-thinking approach to vineyard management and wine growing. To further expand the vision of FFWE beyond Leonetti Cellar, Chris founded Toil Oregon, a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir label, and FIGGINS, a single-vineyard estate wine brand. The new FIGGINS winery, a state-of-the-art winemaking facility with basalt caves, stands as the crown jewel of the portfolio and a testament to Chris’s commitment to precision, innovation, and excellence. He is deeply dedicated to sustainable farming and viticulture, with a particular focus on regenerative practices and long-term soil health. Chris and his wife, Jennifer, lead an adventurous life. He loves to backcountry fly, ski, hunt, and fish.
Chris Figgins is the CEO and Winemaking Director of Figgins Family Wine Estates (FFWE). He succeeds his parents, Gary and Nancy Figgins, who founded Leonetti Cellar in 1977—the first winery established in Walla Walla. Raised in the family business, Chris officially joined Leonetti in 1996 after earning a degree in Horticulture from Washington State University. He became the head winemaker in 2001.
In addition to overseeing all winemaking and operational aspects of FFWE, Chris directs the estate’s viticulture program across six vineyard sites—five in the Walla Walla Valley AVA and one in the Chehalem Mountains AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Under his leadership, Leonetti has evolved into a fully estate-grown winery, and Chris is widely recognized for his forward-thinking approach to vineyard management and wine growing.
To further expand the vision of FFWE beyond Leonetti Cellar, Chris founded Toil Oregon, a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir label, and FIGGINS, a single-vineyard estate wine brand. The new FIGGINS winery, a state-of-the-art winemaking facility with basalt caves, stands as the crown jewel of the portfolio and a testament to Chris’s commitment to precision, innovation, and excellence. He is deeply dedicated to sustainable farming and viticulture, with a particular focus on regenerative practices and long-term soil health.
