About Us
Our legacy
138 Years & Counting
Named in honor of the family farmstead in Helix, Oregon, where our grandparents met, married, and farmed, Helix represents a long and storied family history in the Washington and Oregon wine and agricultural industries.
As fifth generation farmers who settled in the Pacific Northwest via the Oregon Trail, Helix is our dedication to the Columbia Valley distinctive terrain, climate, and soil type; and after almost 140 years of our family livelihood intertwined with this land, we can think of no better way to honor the land and our history than with wine.
Unwavering Dedication
The story of Helix begins with our pioneering ancestors - John and Susan Tucker - who traveled the Oregon Trail from Colorado, settling in the Weston and Helix region of Northeastern Oregon in 1883. They found fertile land to farm and raised 11 children. When J.B. Tucker died in 1898, he'd accumulated nearly 1,000 acres of land on the lower slopes of Weston Mountain. Like many early homesteaders in the region, the family connection to the region was established and generation upon generation continued to farm, all the while expanding the notion of what is possible in the region's fertile soils.
From Wheat to Wine
In the early 1980's, while continuing to raise and produce wheat, various family members became active in the early stages of the Washington wine industry. After 15+ years of independent involvement, the four Tucker families joined together to create a wine project born from a shared love of the region. In 2002, Helix wines was established as a sister brand to REININGER.
Helix wines are produced with the intention of discovering what is possible in the vast Columbia Valley. Unlike our REININGER wines which are produced solely from Walla Walla Valley fruit, Helix allows us to extend our geographical reach and produce wines that are stylistically different from REININGER. With access to the diverse and unbounded Columbia Valley, Helix is an exploration of Washington State and an opportunity to introduce a new group of wine enthusiasts to what Washington has to offer.
Helix Team
Chuck Reininger
Winemaker and Partner
A Bellevue, Washington native, Chuck and his wife Tracy Tucker founded REININGER Winery in Walla Walla in 1997. In 2003, they partnered with Tracy’s brothers and their spouses, along with Tracy’s parents, Terry and Ronnie Tucker, to launch Helix. Prior to becoming a winemaker, Chuck worked as a professional mountain guide and climber. Chuck graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a B.A. in Business and Marketing. Chuck oversees winemaking for the wineries’ three brands: REININGER, CPR, and Helix.
Kelly Tucker
Partner & General Manager
A fifth generation farmer, Kelly was raised in Walla Walla, Washington and began working on the family wheat farm at age 12. Kelly went on to earn a Masters in Agricultural Economics from Washington State University. For fifteen years, Kelly worked as General Manager of Hogue Ranches, including seven years as Treasurer of The Hogue Cellars, in Prosser, WA. Kelly and his brother, Jay, joined REININGER in 2003 and co-founded the Helix brand with their sister, Tracy Tucker, and brother-in-law, Chuck Reininger.
Jay Tucker
Partner & Operations Manager
A fifth generation farmer, Jay was raised in Walla Walla, Washington and began working in agriculture at an early age. For eighteen years, Jay operated the 4,000-acre Tucker family wheat farm near Helix, Oregon. Prior to that, he attended the University of Idaho, and received an AA degree from Walla Walla Community College. Jay oversees the Walla Walla and Spokane Tasting Rooms and general operations at the winery. Jay and his brother, Kelly, joined REININGER in 2003 and co-founded the Helix brand with their sister, Tracy Tucker, and brother-in-law, Chuck Reininger.
Ronnie & Terry Tucker
Partners
With lifetime careers in dry land wheat farming as owners and operators near Pendleton and Helix, OR, and Clyde, WA, Terry and Ronnie Tucker have been actively involved in the Washington wine industry since 1989, when they joined with a local group of investors to create Canoe Ridge Vineyards. Terry subsequently served as President of the Board. They were also early partners in Forgeron Cellars. Terry and Ronnie joined REININGER and Helix in 2003. Although they no longer participate in day-to-day operations, their contributions in the Valley's wine industry are far-reaching.
Ann Tucker
Marketing & Sales
Ann began working in the Washington State Wine Industry in 1987 as a marketing associate for The Hogue Cellars. In 1995, she transitioned to the non-profit sector in fundraising with a focus on wine auctions. After a few years working in interior design, she and her husband Kelly joined REININGER in 2003 and co-founded the Helix brand with the Tuckers and Reiningers. Born and raised in Walla Walla, Ann initially worked in distribution then expanded her focus to marketing, eCommerce and Direct to Consumer sales. Ann graduated from Washington State University with a BA in Fine Arts.
Raul Morfin
Assistant Winemaker
Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Raul started with us before he even liked wine when he was only 19 years old. He drove past Ash Hollow Vineyard, where we were planting vines and pulled over to ask if we needed help. Once harvest hit, Raul bounced back and forth between helping us out at the airport with harvest and our neighbors, Tamarack Cellars, before working for us full-time. In 2002, Raul became our Assistant Winemaker. During his tenure with us, Raul helped found and produce the wines for El Corazon Winery for 14 years.
Jeff Cox
National Sales Manager
Jeff's 40-year career in wine has included work in all aspects of the industry, ranging from delivery driver to warehouse manager, distribution, as well as a stint selling luxury wine to Beverly Hills glitterati. He was named Washington’s Retail Wine Steward of the Year in 2017 and is a frequent judging panelist for several northwest wine competitions. His emphasis on independent, family-owned producers, responsible farming practices, and wines with an authentic sense of terroir makes him the perfect representative of the Reininger Tucker Wines portfolio.
Hannah Hagler
Walla Walla Tasting Room Lead
Hannah, a Columbia Valley native, recently graduated from Whitman College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and Astronomy. Growing up in this region with a strong foundation in science, she has found great enjoyment in the wine industry, as there is always something fresh to discover about winemaking and the geological significance of the Walla Walla Valley. In her role as Tasting Room Lead, Hannah focuses on hospitality and education, building connections with each visitor and ensuring everyone leaves with new knowledge from their experience.