August Forest is the collaboration of C.J. Augustine and Forest Rogers-Phillips who met pursuing dreams of making great wine. Both independently left careers and life on the East Coast seeking to further their wine knowledge and enrolled in Walla Walla Community College’s Enology and Viticulture Program.
A strong respect and friendship forged by late night study sessions, group projects, Mario Kart and tasting through hundreds of wines was born and August Forest is the result.
Forest Rogers-Phillips has a background in the Virginia wine industry, first working for Pearmund Cellars in the tasting room, and production from 2009 – 2016. Then in 2017 he was hired as assistant winemaker for The Winery at LaGrange. In fall 2018 he accepted a harvest internship at Cellar Door Winery in Maine, where he met Aaron and CC Peet, who had both graduated from the Enology and Viticulture program in 2009. They encouraged him to look into the program, and after some thought he decided to pick up and head to Walla Walla to further his education in everything wine.
“The first person I connected with was CJ, and from that point we have gone through many experiences in this industry together. It just felt right to start August Forest with someone who shares the same passion for wine as myself. His excitement, and love for the industry as well as great wines brings our project to new heights everyday!”
C.J. Augustine left behind a 9 year career in Project Management and Government Consulting in Washington D.C. to pursue dreams of making wine. He got his start in wine by taking tasting classes at the Capital Wine School in D.C. earning his WSET Level 3. Burned out by government consulting he enrolled in the Walla Walla Community College EV Program, quit his job and moved west with his Partner Robbie and cat Goose.
“Meeting Forest and his girlfriend Katrina was one of the best parts of moving to Walla Walla. I think we quickly realized we both moved here for the same reason and as our friendship grew we learned we had complementary qualities that made a partnership the right path forward for us both rather than pursuing individual labels on our own. I admire his charisma and his palate is amazing!”
We are currently offering our Double Gold Winning 2021 Syrah, 2022 Merlot AF, Gold Winning White Bluffs Riesling and our 2023 Rosé of Cabernet Franc
Full case orders receive a 10% Discount and half off shipping!
Club members receive shipments of wine in the Spring and Fall, discounts on purchases, flat rate shipping and winemaker notes/pairings. We have two clubs for you to choose from:
