As we continue our journey through Walla Walla Wine Month we bring you a Walla Walla mainstay with a long history, as Walla Walla Vintners is the town’s eighth bonded winery. Originally founded in 1995, the current proprietors, Scott and Nici Haladay, were first introduced to Walla Walla Vintners in 2017. Already familiar with the historic winery, they were excited to get the chance to be the new stewards of the iconic red barn and Cut Bank Estate vineyard as Scott comes from a technology background and Nici is a licensed nurse.
Their winemaker Derrek Vipond, is a native Washingtonian who started his career at Walla Walla Community College in the Enology and Viticulture program. After completing his education with a degree from Oregon State University in Fermentation Science, Derrek worked several harvests across the globe before eventually moving back to Walla Walla and joining Walla Walla Vintners in January 2019. Their estate vineyard, the ‘Cut Bank Vineyard’ is set in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains at 1467 ft. along the Mill Creek Valley.
Derrek’s new wines were beautiful across the board, including their entry level red wine, the 2017 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Red Blend’ Red Wine (WWB, 90) which is sourced from the Columbia Valley and has a good combination of freshness and ripeness. I totally loved their 2017 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 92) as this has some great cellaring potential and has really great tension and varietal typicity. Learn more about these great new releases at https://wallawallavintners.com Here are my reviews of the new wines by Walla Walla Vintners.
2017 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Red Blend’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Red Blend’ is a melange of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Cabernet Franc with smaller portions Merlot and Syrah. The palate is medium-bodied with straightforward black fruit flavors with chocolate undertones. This is really well-made stuff that is meant to be enjoyed in the short-term. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2017 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Ripe and generous, the 2017 Walla Walla Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon has lovely herbal undertones that mingle with shades of sagebrush, tar and blackberry compote. Lightly tannic, this well-balanced wine will cellar well over the next seven plus years. Drink 2020-2027- 91
2017 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Waliser Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- This Walla Walla Valley bottling shows violets that combine with shades of blueberry and Bing cherry on the nose. The mouthfeel entices as layers of black and blue fruits emerge, with mineral and a light tannins that line this wine. Well-structured, this elegant style Cabernet Franc will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2028- 91
2017 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Sagemoor Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Sagemoor Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon has beautiful layers of tobacco leaf and sagebrush that combine with the rich dark fruits on the nose. There palate is elegant with medium to full-bodied dark fruit flavors with chocolate fudge and espresso bean undertones. Drink 2020-2028- 91
2017 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Estate Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Cut Bank Estate Vineyard’ is a limited production bottling by this storied estate, and is set at nearly 1500 feet elevation. The palate shows a good degree of balance with medium to full-bodied dark fruit, pipe tobacco and chocolate covered espresso bean flavors, with medium tannins. Give this beautiful wine another year to soften. Drink 2021-2032- 92