Ex-NFL QB Trades Touchdowns for Top-Rated Wine

Drew Bledsoe, after a 14-year NFL career, has cultivated a second successful career in winemaking. In 2003, while still playing, he purchased vineyard land in Walla Walla, Washington, his childhood home. This initial step laid the foundation for Doubleback, a winery that now spans 450 acres and employs 70 individuals.

Bledsoe sought a venture that would channel his competitive spirit post-football, finding it in the demanding world of wine production. He launched Doubleback in 2007 with his wife, Maura, with the winery's name symbolizing a return to his roots.

Initial skepticism from the wine community quickly dissipated when Doubleback's first vintage, a 2007 cabernet sauvignon blend, secured a Wine Spectator Top 100 ranking. The winery has since expanded its offerings with Bledsoe Family Winery and Bledsoe/McDaniels, encompassing over 450 acres of vineyards across Washington and Oregon.

Bledsoe's venture has proven to be a significant success, demonstrating a serious commitment to quality comparable to his approach during his football career. His legacy is increasingly defined by this thriving wine enterprise, built one vineyard at a time.