Today we present one of the outstanding older Walla Walla wineries. Spring Valley Vineyards is located on old Walla Walla farm land that dates all the way back to the 1880s. It was roughly 100 years later, Shari and Dean Derby planted vines on the land and made their first vintage in 1999. The Derbys’ son Devin Corkrum Derby served as winemaker until his passing in 2004. Devin’s assistant and friend Serge Laville took over as winemaker and has been crafting some beautiful wines for many years. They have recently hired a new winemaker who continues the family tradition.
Kate Derby, sixth-generation family farmer and winemaker will be taking the helm at Spring Valley Vineyard, leading winemaking operations. She has worked at Spring Valley Vineyard for much of her life. Growing up she spent summers hoeing the vineyard rows with her grandfather and racking wine with Spring Valley’s first winemaker, her uncle Devin Derby. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she began her full time career with Spring Valley in the tasting room, then on the road representing the brand across the country and finally joining the winemaking team in 2011. Look to the fantastic 2019 Spring Valley ‘Fredrick’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is fantastic even now and shows beautiful herbal qualities from this slightly cooler vintage. Learn more about these outstanding wines at springvalleyvineyard.com Here are my reviews of the fantastic new Spring Valley wines.
2019 Spring Valley Vineyards ‘Frederick’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Frederick’ is a flat out delicious blend of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, 16% Syrah which was stored for 30 months in French oak before bottling. This shows wonderful elegance with a soft mouthfeel on the palate. Layers of kirsch, underbrush, red bell pepper and graphite combine with copious minerals on the palate. This is really good, well-balanced wine that will no doubt cellar well for another ten plus years. Drink 2023-2035- 93
2019 Spring Valley Vineyards ‘Uriah’ Red Wine- The 2019 Spring Valley Vineyards ‘Uriah’ is a fantastic wine that blends mostly Merlot (46%) with 23% Cabernet Franc and smaller portions Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The green bell pepper and garrigue notes from the 17% Petit Verdot are really singing right now, as creme de cassis, anise and dark raspberry tones all sing in unison on the nose. The palate is alluring and comes off a touch angular with medium bodied dark fruits that combine with chocolate and espresso grounds. Very well-balanced, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 92
2019 Spring Valley Vineyards ‘Katherine Corkrum’ Cabernet Franc- This fantastic wine is named after Katherine Williams who was born in Wales and then later came all the way to Walla Walla, marrying Uriah Corkrum. This is an elegant style of Washington Cabernet Franc, with medium-bodied red bell pepper, red currants and tobacco leaf flavors that mingle with bright minerals on the palate. This will surely live on for another ten plus years. Drink 2023-2033- 92
2019 Spring Valley Vineyards ‘Nina Lee’ Syrah- Named after Nina Lee who enjoyed a dancing career throughout the Pacific Northwest back in the roaring 20s, this 2019 Syrah is only starting to begin its evolution. Initially quite reticent and needing an hour in the decanter, this slowly evolves, revealing black currents and tar notes alongside wild blackberry cobbler and shades of black licorice on the palate. Enjoy this outstanding Syrah now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2023-2033- 92