A New Generation Takes the Lead While Staying True to Its Roots
On Bainbridge Island, where small business and community often intersect, Eleven Winery has quietly become one of the most vibrant hubs of connection, creativity, and craft winemaking in Kitsap County.
Since its founding in 2003, the winery has steadily grown from a one-man operation into a thriving business with two tasting spaces—one at the Day Road winery and another in downtown Winslow—and a third on the horizon in Bremerton. But perhaps the most defining change came in April 2024, when three long-time employees stepped into ownership: General Manager Alana Mignano, Winemaker Armathia Bolles, and Tasting Room & Events Manager Ashley Dunlap.
The transition marks not only a passing of the torch from founder Matt Albee, but also the beginning of a new chapter guided by women who came up through the business while working side-by-side behind the bar, on the production floor, and in the back office. Still, even with new leadership, the essence of Eleven remains intact.
“We try to make wine approachable for everyone,” Bolles said. “Yeah, and make it fun, obviously.”
Fun is a word that comes up again and again when talking to the new ownership team. They use it to describe the personality of the winery, the experience they want to deliver, and even their approach to winemaking. And if there is one thing they are determined to preserve under their leadership, it is that sense of joyful approachability.
From Garage Startup to Local Fixture
When Albee founded Eleven Winery more than 20 years ago, the operation looked very different. A former semi-professional cyclist, he learned winemaking in California at Page Mill Winery before moving to Washington with his wife Sarah. Inspired after the birth of his first child, he launched Eleven in his garage on Bainbridge Island.
“He always jokes that the winery was like his middle child,” Mignano said.
The name itself is a nod to cycling: the smallest gear on a road racing bike has 11 teeth—often referred to simply as “the 11”—and is used in the final moments of a race, when you’re pushing all-out. That spirit resonated deeply enough to become the foundation of the business.
“It translates over into what we do here with the wine and the winery,” Mignano said. “We’re always giving it our all.”
Eleven moved into its current production facility and tasting room on Day Road in 2011, followed by the Winslow tasting room in 2012. The founders and early employees shepherded the winery through steady expansion, turning a garage startup into a much-loved community hub producing more than 30 wines annually.
The Road to Co-Ownership
The three new owners did not set out with individual ambitions of taking over the business. Each began working in various capacities—often behind the tasting bar—and bonded over time with each other, the wines, and the people they served.
Things shifted when Albee announced that he was beginning to explore what the next chapter of ownership might look like.
“It started just from that sort of declaring that he wanted to be able to take a step back,” Mignano said. “He didn’t really know what exactly it looked like. He certainly did not want someone to just walk in and buy the business outright who had no experience with it. It was important to him to keep Eleven what it is and keep the mission and vision alive.”
Each of the three women approached Albee individually, expressing interest in being part of whatever came next. What began as informal conversations gradually evolved into a shared ownership structure and operational leadership role.
“We all got really close too,” Bolles said. “It was really fun to, start as co-workers, become good friends, and then, to be partners is really, really cool, really fun.”
Complementary Strengths
Collectively, the team runs everything: production, financial management, hiring, events, and more. While their responsibilities overlap, each brings distinct strengths.
Mignano has worked the longest at Eleven, holding positions across the business.
“My strengths really lie in organization and planning,” she said. “I am a by-the-book, numbers, Excel spreadsheets kind of person.”
Bolles is the scientist and technician, overseeing the alchemy of winemaking.
“She just knows front and back every which way the chemistry, and what needs to happen,” Mignano said. “She’s two or three steps ahead of everybody else in her winemaking.”
Dunlap is the hospitality heart of the business.
“She is such a light,” Mignano said. “Every person that comes in, she’s treating them like they are her family.”
Together, they make decisions collaboratively, with transparency and long history as coworkers informing how they communicate.
“We talk a lot about stuff,” Mignano said. “And Matt is still involved but he’ll always be like, what’s your decision? And he really means that.”
“I think a lot of times we make most decisions thinking about the staff first, and customers too,” Dunlap said.
Letting the Grapes Speak
Eleven does not own vineyards. Instead, the team sources grapes from Eastern Washington, often from the same vines year after year.
“It’s cool to know that year over year, we’re getting grapes from the same vines,” Mignano said. “How those can change and present themselves every year is really exciting.”
Bolles’ winemaking approach is rooted in restraint and respect for the fruit.
“I keep it simple,” she said. “Some people call it low intervention, but we just like to let the grapes showcase themselves.”
While production has expanded from four wines to 32, the philosophy remains the same: let the grapes speak, listen, and refine.
Bolles is deeply connected to certain wines, particularly those carrying personal weight. One is the Malbec “Outlaw,” named for her father who passed away in 2021.
That same year when Albee and Bolles were diversifying their sources they went to look at the vines and Bolles felt a connection.
“Matt and I went out to look at those vines and I fell in love with the vines,” she said. “They’re a little old and kind of in a weird area, but I just loved it. It was my happy place.”
When extra Malbec became available during bottling in 2022, she asked to make a small batch of her own.
“Matt said there was some extra Malbec and I told him, ‘Well, I want four barrels to make my own wine.’ He let me do it and said I had to name it,” she said. “My dad’s name was Jesse James, so the Outlaw is an ode to my dad.”
Another wine that is special to Bolles is La Prossima 2023, a whole-cluster Syrah representing the next generation of winery leadership.
“It is like the next generation,” she said. “It’s representing us taking over ownership.”
A Place Where Community Grows
Eleven’s tasting rooms operate on a simple shared mission: “Make great wine, make it fun, and make the world a better place.” For Mignano, that’s not a slogan—it’s the measure of success.
“We want it to be an enjoyable experience for anyone who comes to the door,” she said. “Whether they are a seasoned wine drinker or if it is their first wine tasting ever.”
One of the most cherished parts of their work is seeing the connections that form over a glass.
“We’ve got something posted up on our fridge of this couple that came in randomly on a date one day,” Mignano said. “They barely knew each other. Then they were getting married a couple of years later and they sent us this letter and a picture of them in here at the winery on their first date and they were ordering wine for their wedding.”
Dunlap sees it daily.
“I love the connections that are made in the tasting room, and here at the winery,” she said. “I want people to leave better than when they came in.”
Building a Better Wine Business
A key value inherited from the founder is giving back—financially, socially, and environmentally. Eleven hosts regular “Sunday Fundays,” donating 100% of tasting and glass pour sales and 10% of bottle sales to a local nonprofit partner. Past beneficiaries include Kitsap Humane Society, Kitsap Pride, and others.
The winery also produces a couple annual blends that support community nonprofit organizations: $1 from each bottle goes to World Bicycle Relief and Seattle-based Bike Works.
“It’s really important to us that we’re making that impact locally,” Mignano said.
Eleven also supports the organizations that support others. Nonprofits can host events at the winery at no charge, and wine is discounted 50% for those events. Teachers also receive free use of space for gatherings or retirement parties.
A Growing Presence
Like many businesses, Eleven had to pivot dramatically during the pandemic. The shutdowns pushed the team to reimagine service models—and they came out stronger.
Now, a new milestone approaches: Eleven is opening a new wine bar in Bremerton’s Manette neighborhood in the space formerly occupied by La Fermata.
“We are really excited to open a new spot down in Bremerton,” Mignano said. “We still want to bring the Eleven vibe that same fun, enjoyable place for anyone to feel comfortable.”
Unlike the existing tasting rooms, the new location will serve food—lighter offerings, charcuterie, and small plates—to complement wine flights and pours.
There is no firm opening date yet, but the goal is early 2026.
What Success Looks Like
For a business built on relationships, success isn’t measured in awards or case counts.
“I would say, if a customer comes in and leaves having a better day than they came in with, that’s success,” Bolles said.
Another key metric: the workplace they offer their employees. Benefits include health and dental insurance, retirement contributions, paid vacation, and professional development opportunities—rare in small wine and hospitality businesses.
“It’s really important to us to be a good place to work,” Mignano said.
What They Want Their Guests To Remember
If guests carry only one thing with them when they leave, the team hopes it’s the experience—wine, warmth, and a sense of belonging.
“I hope they walk in the door with who knows what kind of day or attitude or what’s going on,” Mignano said, “and they leave remembering us and thinking about the awesome time they had here.”
At Eleven Winery, the smallest gear isn’t just a name—it’s a mission: full effort, full heart, full connection. And as a new generation steps into leadership, the winery continues to pedal smoothly forward, still giving its all.
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