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When Washington native Kyle MacLachlan isn't playing Orson Hodge on Desperate Housewives, he's probably strolling the grounds of Dunham Cellars in Walla Walla. No, he's not there for a wine tasting, he's there because he's collaborating with winemaker Eric Dunham on their wine Pursued by Bear, a velvety cabernet sauvignon.

Here's what the actor has to say on making wine, things he likes about Washington and the cast member with whom he'd most like to stomp grapes:

How do you compare making movies to making wine? Both require many different elements coming together to produce something extraordinary. Making wine, I’m more like one of the producers and Eric Dunham, who is the actual winemaker, is the director. In the world of acting, the director is the winemaker and the actors are the grapes. Sometimes they do what the director wants and sometimes they don’t!

How did you get involved in the wine business? It was a chance meeting and conversation with winemaker Eric Dunham that propelled my dream of making wine into a reality. His enthusiasm for my involvement made the difference. When I asked him if he’d partner with me on Pursued by Bear, he didn’t hesitate.

What do your Hollywood friends think about Washington wines? They like them! And they’ve been extremely supportive of my efforts. Eva Longoria agreed to have the wine at her restaurant Beso in Hollywood. Dana Delaney and others on our show Desperate Housewives have all bought cases from me.

Do you ever slip your wine in front of the camera while on set? That would cost me about a trillion dollars! Be good advertising though!

What are your favorite things to do when you come back to Washington state? I see my family. In fact, that was one of my reasons for choosing to do this in Washington as opposed to California. The opportunity it gave me to not only periodically check on my wine, but to also visit my family in Seattle and Yakima at the same time. I always play golf with my dad in Yakima and hang out with my brothers and their kids in Seattle.

What is your fondest memory of your years at the University of Washington? I think without question it was my three years of acting training with my extraordinary teachers Dr. Robert Hobbs, Craig Turner and Nancy Lane. I will never forget them nor the lessons I learned at the Professional Actor’s Training Program.

With which Desperate Housewives character would you most like to stomp grapes? Well, if I keep doing well in the wine business, I’m going to need all their feet to keep up with demand!

For more information on Pursued by Bear wine, visit www.pursuedbybearwine.com.