NEWS: WA winemaker Eric Dunham passes away

[Jenise]

Dunham Cellars. One of Washington's very best. No idea what happened yet--no one's saying. He was in his 40's. I've seen references to "this tragedy" as if there were a winery accident of some kind, but at the same time his age and talent alone would suffice to categorize his untimely death that way. I own quite a few Dunham wines and will open one in his memory soon.

[Jenise]

Apparently, suicide. DAMN.

[David M. Bueker]

Sigh.

I'm not familiar with his wines, but from all reports Eric Dunham was a gregarious and well-loved guy, a talented winemaker who was one of the early ones to start a winery/tasting room in the old Walla Walla airport hangers (I have visited some of them) and a talented artist. It's a shame that people like Eric Dunham and Robin Williams succumb to inner demons (speaking metaphorically--I'm not saying that they were battling actual demons.)

Dunham was one of the relatively eary wineries in Walla Walla, and were the first to move to the airport area (which is now flush with wineries). I remember going to their cellar door starting in the mid to late 1990s, it always had a real family feel to it. Its so sad to lose such a well respected person and winemaker, many condolences to his many friends and family.

[Jenise]

JC and John, he was indeed talented. I really like his wines and own a number of bottles. Yes, such a shame. In this country it's so easy and expected to go to a doctor to fix a cold or a wart or an aching back, and there's no shame associated with those sicknesses, but we collectively don't understand that chemistry imbalances just as arbitrary and uninvited can make our minds sick, too, such that we can seek help without shame.

I say that while, of course, having no idea what Eric was actually going through. But when a talented, well-regarded 44 year old man with a young son, a good career and lots of friends decides to end his own life, it's pretty safe to assume that he didn't ask for or get the help he needed. It's all too common a tragedy.