Daniel and Helen Ferrell
Married for 57 remarkable years, Daniel and Helen Ferrelli represent a true partnership in both life and business. High school sweethearts — Daniel with proud Italian roots and Helen from a strong Greek heritage — they have always shared a deep love of gathering family and friends around the table.
That spirit of hospitality traces back generations. Daniel’s grandfather — the original “Big Papa” — endured the hardships of the Great Depression and Prohibition in Chicago, where his family sold jug wine from their brownstone basement just to get by. Wine was not just a livelihood; it was part of the family’s identity.
Even while Daniel and Helen were building their own successful business, Daniel’s Cleaners, one of the area’s most respected dry-cleaning companies for over 20 years, and raising three children, Daniel faithfully continued the annual tradition of making wine using his grandfather’s old wine press. Over time, his winemaking partners grew to include his son-in-law — and now EFESTĒ partner — Kevin Taylor.
In 2001, Daniel and Kevin began bottling and labeling their garage-made wine. With access to state-of-the-art winemaking equipment, they joked, “We could just make a couple of barrels.” A couple of barrels quickly grew into something much larger — EFESTĒ Winery.
Hospitality has always been as central as the wine itself. Back in Chicago, Daniel’s family cooked for the entire neighborhood every Sunday, asking each guest to bring their own fork because there simply weren’t enough to go around. Today, Daniel and Helen continue that generous tradition by hosting unforgettable EFESTĒ wine club dinners and events. Helen has been the heart and inspiration behind the winery’s food program from the beginning and continues to influence and advise Chef Karen, ensuring that every gathering feels personal and welcoming.
Daniel — affectionately known as “Big Papa” — remains the pillar of EFESTĒ. While his appearances have slowed due to vision loss from glaucoma, he continues to make special guest visits each month. If you see Papa during one of his visits, don’t hesitate to say hello — he treasures connecting with loyal guests and being part of the EFESTĒ community.
Daniel and Helen Ferrelli can be contacted at daniel@efeste.com.
Angela Taylor
For Angela Taylor, wine is both heritage and stewardship.
Rooted in generations of family winemaking tradition, Angela grew up immersed in the rhythms of harvest, fermentation, and gathering around the table. That legacy shaped EFESTĒ from its earliest days — not as a hobby turned business, but as a continuation of a family philosophy centered on craft, hospitality, and integrity.
A graduate of Washington State University — where she earned her degree in Advertising/Marketing Communications with a Business emphasis — Angela brings both strategic vision and brand leadership to EFESTĒ. Like much of the Taylor family, her Cougar roots run deep, and that Eastern Washington connection remains foundational to the winery’s growth and community.
What began as a few barrels crafted in a garage evolved into EFESTĒ Winery — now an estate-driven producer farming approximately 60 acres on Red Mountain, one of Washington State’s most prized wine-growing regions, and producing roughly 13,000 cases annually. For more than 20 years, EFESTĒ wines have been consistently award-winning, recognized for both craftsmanship and character.
As EFESTĒ’s estate steward and strategic leader, Angela oversees brand direction, vineyard growth, communication, and long-term vision. The winery’s commitment to native yeast fermentation, minimal intervention, concrete aging vessels, and French oak reflects her belief that great wine begins in the vineyard and is guided — not manufactured — in the cellar. Estate fruit, disciplined farming, and thoughtful cellar practices ensure wines that are structured, expressive, and unmistakably reflective of place.
Each bottle carries a piece of family history. From Big Papa Cabernet to Lil’ Mama Cabernet, the labels honor those who shaped the winery’s story. Tough Guy — named for her son Joe during his courageous battle with leukemia — remains a deeply personal wine and a commitment to supporting blood cancer research. Today, Joe works full time at EFESTĒ, stepping into the next generation of leadership and continuing the resilience that inspired the wine.
Outside the winery, Angela can often be found on the tennis or pickleball court, attending Seattle sporting events with her boys, hosting frequent family gatherings, or spending time at the family cabin at Tumble Creek in Cle Elum — another Eastern Washington connection that reflects her love for family, land, and community.
You can reach Angela at angela@efeste.com.
Kevin Taylor
Kevin Taylor co-founded EFESTĒ to honor his wife Angela’s family winemaking traditions and to build a lasting, multi-generational estate rooted in land, legacy, and stewardship. A second-generation entrepreneur, Kevin founded Taylor Development in 1993, continuing a family lineage that began when his grandfather, Tor Magnussen, purchased Cadman Sand & Gravel in 1946 and his father, Paul Taylor, helped grow it into the largest sand and gravel supplier on the West Coast. For over 30 years, Kevin has led Taylor Development in the creation of more than 9,000 residential lots and over $1.1 billion in commercial and residential real estate throughout the greater Puget Sound region.
At EFESTĒ, Kevin brings that same disciplined land strategy and long-term vision to vineyard acquisition and estate expansion, helping secure approximately 60 acres on Red Mountain and positioning the winery for sustained growth and quality control. His focus on thoughtful site selection, infrastructure investment, and patient development mirrors the philosophy behind EFESTĒ’s award-winning wines. Today, as his son Paul Tor joins Taylor Development, Kevin continues building both businesses with an eye toward generational continuity.
When he’s not analyzing and reviewing development plans, Kevin can often be found on the golf course, hunting in the fall, or fishing at Port Hardy whenever he can carve out the time — always returning to the land that has defined his family’s story.
Joe Taylor
Joe Taylor represents the next generation of EFESTĒ leadership, bringing discipline, energy, and a strong business foundation to the winery’s sales and growth strategy.
A graduate of Washington State University’s Carson College of Business with an emphasis in Finance, Joe is stepping into a significant role within EFESTĒ Sales, focused on expanding distribution partnerships, strengthening account relationships, and driving long-term brand growth.
Joe’s path reflects both resilience and discipline. A graduate of Sacred Heart School in Clyde Hill and Eastside Catholic in Sammamish (Class of 2019), he attended IMG Academy in 2021 before going on to play four seasons of Division I football at Washington State University (2021–2025) as a strong safety and special teams contributor under Head Coach Jake Dickert.
The physical training, structure, and mental toughness developed through football continue to define his work ethic — he has maintained that same rigorous training regimen, living up to the “Tough Guy” name that inspired one of EFESTĒ’s most meaningful wines.
Named after Joe during his childhood battle with leukemia — which he has since fully defeated — Tough Guy stands as a symbol of perseverance and purpose. Today, Joe brings that same steady determination to EFESTĒ, focused on growth, excellence, and carrying the family legacy forward.
Outside of the winery, Joe enjoys time at the family cabin at Tumble Creek, hiking, hunting, shooting, and spending time with family — staying connected to the land and community that have shaped his story.
Paul Taylor
Paul Taylor serves as Vice President of Land at Taylor Development, continuing a multi-generational legacy rooted in stewardship, strategy, and disciplined growth. A 2023 graduate of Washington State University with a degree in Business Management — and proudly following in his father’s footsteps as a member of Theta Chi Fraternity — Paul combines strong academic grounding with hands-on experience in construction management, including strategic planning, site evaluation, due diligence, project coordination, and risk management. His work involves close collaboration with contractors, architects, engineers, and regulatory authorities to ensure projects are executed to the highest standards.
Educated locally at Sacred Heart School in Clyde Hill and a 2019 graduate of Eastside Catholic, Paul remains deeply connected to his community. He currently serves as Head Coach of the Eastside Catholic JVC Basketball team and assists with the Varsity program, reflecting his passion for mentorship and leadership. A dedicated sports enthusiast and avid golfer, Paul is also a familiar face at EFESTĒ events, enthusiastically promoting attendance and sharing the winery’s commitment to quality and excellence. You’ll often find the Taylor brothers at the EFESTĒ SoDo location before Seahawks and Mariners games — bringing the same energy and loyalty to the winery that defines their family legacy.
While focused professionally on land acquisition and development, Paul also contributes to EFESTĒ’s long-term growth by helping identify vineyard opportunities that strengthen the estate’s future.
