GOLDENDALE, Wash., (CelebrityAccess) — When Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite perform at the Maryhill Winery at the end of August, it will mark the last concert in the foreseeable future for the 4,000-seat amphitheater.
The winery, one of the largest in the state, announced this week that after the 2018 season, they planned to discontinue their concert business.
“The dynamics of the concert business have changed significantly since we started this series 15 years ago. There are a lot more outdoor venues and casinos all competing for great musical talent. Our wine business continues to grow aggressively, and we need to concentrate our efforts on our core business of producing and selling high-quality wines,” Maryhill co-owner Craig Leuthold said in announcing the winery’s plans.
“We want to thank all our fans and supporters and encourage anyone who enjoys—or hasn’t seen—our concerts at Maryhill’s amphitheater to do so in August,” continued Leuthold. “Maryhill Winery offers top-quality artists, an expansive outdoor lawn, panoramic views of the area’s breathtaking landscape, excellent food and wine, and great views from every seat.”
The news came after a fairly thin for 2018, with just three shows — Chris Isaak, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and the Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite concert scheduled. That’s down by 50% from 2017, when the winery hosted six concerts over roughly the same period.
Representatives for winery said it plans to continue to support local music in the Columbia River Gorge, and its terrace music series will continue as well. Leuthold says the winery is considering potential future uses for the space currently occupied by the amphitheater.
