MikeL's Guide to WA Wineries
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Click here for map/directionsNewsletters: Summer 2001.
Production: (1999) 993 cases
Vineyards: None; purchased and contract with: Patina Vineyard (Walla Walla), Spring Valley Vineyard (Walla Walla), Vanessa's Vineyard (Milton Freewater OR), Hanson's Vineyard (Milton Freewater OR), Forgotten Hills Vineyard (Walla Walla), Ash Hollow Vineyard (Touchet).
History:
Upon graduating from University of Colorado in Summer 1999 with an MBA, Brett and Denise attended a wine graduation party at which Denise commented on how she preferred wine to beer. Soon afterward, Brett took a hospital administration job with Columbia/HCA where he quickly he found himself unhappy with the work, and thinking about Denise's comment about wine. In time, Brett quit the Administrative position and went back to working as a hospital pharmacist as this enabled him to dig deeply into the new found wine interest. Together they considered all the western States and decided to take the plunge and move to Walla Walla; this was April 1998.
They're planning for a 1999 production of 343 cases of Syrah and 650 cases of Merlot. Fruit will be crushed at Glen Fiona and Rusty Figgins has agreed to consult. They anticipate leasing a building in Walla Walla in 2000. Expect release of the Syrah in December of 2000 and release of the Merlot in May of 2001.
Their goal is to be at full production of 5000 cases in seven years, producing three red wines and one white wine. They'll emphasise Syrah, Merlot, Primivito, and Roussanne, and will seek small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut, Counoise, Grenache, Marsanne, and Sangiovese for blending purposes.
They also intend to plant a 10 to 20 acre vineyard for estate production. This will be Denise's project.
The winery originally started out as Wildflower Winery, but
had to changed names when they discovered that J. Lohr of Napa CA uses
this name for a Gamay wine.
Sources:
[the winery]
The Wines: (Spring 1999)
Reds:
- 1999 Syrah [future] (343 cases)
- 1999 Merlot [future (650 cases)
Winemakers:
Brett Isenhower
Brett Isenhower 1998-present
Of special note:
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