March 4, 2024
At Snoqualmie’s Salish Lodge the morning after Twin Peaks Day (Feb. 24), a line of fans of the cult classic series took up the whole length of the lounge next to the main entrance.
The place buzzed with quiet anticipation for a meet and greet with actor Kyle MacLachlan, best known for playing Agent Dale Cooper in “Twin Peaks,” the North Bend-shot David Lynch masterpiece that changed television forever. Since then, MacLachlan has appeared in many more iconic films (“Showgirls,” “Inside Out”) and series (“Sex and the City,” Desperate Housewives,” “Portlandia”), but what many might not know is that MacLachlan isn’t just prolific in Hollywood. The Yakima-bred MacLachlan is also an accomplished vintner.
The February appearance at Salish Lodge served as an opportunity to show the public the wines he and his business partner Daniel Wampfler have produced under their Pursued by Bear label, created in 2005. Dressed in a casual black quilted vest over a black turtleneck, with white pants and boots to match, MacLachlan crossed the lounge area and gave me a big smile, a firm handshake, and 15 minutes for a chat and some photos.
I promise this is the only “Twin Peaks”-related question I will ask you. The series was a massive cultural event, and is considered a cult classic. What’s a special memory you have from that time?
First, of course, there’s David Lynch, who brought his surreal filmmaking style and sensibility to ABC. The fact that the network allowed us to go forward with the project was pretty phenomenal. The two-hour pilot alone is still considered one of the best ever produced on television. I do have fond memories of the whole filming process. Working with Michael Ontkean (Sheriff Harry Truman), finding our dynamics and aesthetics for the story. All the great young talent too, like Sherilyn Fenn, Sheryl Lee, Lara Flynn Boyle, James Marshall, and sharing the screen with some experienced actors like my dear friend Miguel Ferrer. It was a really interesting mix of people.
Have you always been interested in winemaking?
From an early age, I’ve always enjoyed the creative process involved in producing wine. And winemaking is so specific to the terroir, it’s so different if you are in France, Spain, or Argentina. It wasn’t until the late ‘70s that Washington state started to play a part in this game. I kind of became aware of it in the ‘90s — kept my eye on it. And then in 2005 I had my first vintage, partnered with Eric from Dunham Cellars, who held my hand in this journey. We made just 300 cases of that first wine. I met my business partner, Dan Wampfler, at Dunham, and we’ve been close friends since 2006. I have a basement room at his home in Walla Walla (laughs).
What is the origin of the name Pursued by Bear?
It’s a Shakespearean phrase, from “The Winter’s Tale.” I’ve always loved Shakespeare’s stage direction; it’s most unusual. So I thought it would be a fun way to represent my day job. It was a bit of a question mark. We were unsure if it was going to work, but so far, it’s been OK!
At this point in your life, are you leaning more toward acting or pursuing winemaking? What’s next?
I’ve been pursuing winemaking pretty hard since about 2015. I’m very hands-on; I own the company and the brand, (and) we have a lovely tasting room in Walla Walla. But I am also still very much interested in acting. I have a new true crime podcast out, “Varnamtown,” and a new series on Amazon called “Fallout.” So my life is basically split two ways. It’s really great to be able to come home and be here at the Salish to have this event. It’s a place of great hospitality, and I really have a lot of fondness for it.
“Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.” – Rodrigo DeMedeiros
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