During his 14 year career, Drew had his eyes set on a post-game plan. Upon his retirement in 2007, he returned to his hometown, Walla Walla, to plant his original estate vineyard, McQueen, on the southern end of the Walla Walla Valley AVA.

In 2008, Drew and his wife, Maura, launched Doubleback as an estate-focused winery with the goal to produce world-class cabernet sauvignon—the winery’s name a reference to his return back home. His very first vintage was named a Wine Spectator Top 100 Wine of the World. To make his dream a reality, Drew hired Josh McDaniels away from Figgins Family Wine Estates, who is his CEO & Director of Winemaking to this day.

Drew played quarterback for Washington State University before being selected number one overall in the 1993 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He played in four Pro Bowls, is in the Patriots Hall of Fame, and was in the top 10 overall for a number of QB statistics upon his retirement. Today, Drew and Maura have four children, and happily reside in Whitefish, Montana.

As Long Shadows’ founding winemaker, Gilles Nicault has spent more than three decades shaping Washington wines, bringing a distinctive blend of old-world training and new-world innovation to his work. Raised in southern France and trained in viticulture and enology at the University of Avignon, Nicault built his early career in Provence, the Rhône Valley, and Champagne before coming to Washington state in 1994. He joined Long Shadows in 2002, where he has played a pivotal role in developing the winery’s internationally recognized portfolio. Known for his collaborative approach, Nicault has worked alongside some of the world’s most respected winemakers, translating their styles through the lens of Washington’s terroir while helping define the character and potential of the Columbia Valley.

A pioneer of Washington agriculture, Luanne Holden-Boushey has spent decades cultivating vineyards in the Yakima Valley, helping to shape the region’s growth as a world-class wine destination. Originally from Bellevue, Holden-Boushey began her career as a teacher before transitioning to farming alongside her husband in Grandview. Over time, their family farm evolved from apples and cherries to a diverse vineyard operation, with early plantings dating back to the late 1970s. Today, she farms 28 grape varieties, adapting to changing industry trends while maintaining a deep connection to the land. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to agriculture, resilience, and the continued evolution of Washington wine.