If you haven’t yet hat the chance to visit Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla then you are in for a massive treat. This gorgeous, modern facility on the Southside of Walla Walla has made Valdemar one of the outstanding winery destinations in Washington State. Remarkably Valdemar is also the first non-American owned winery in Washington. With sweeping views across the Walla Walla Valley and gorgeous, modern touches, this is a must visit for wine lovers near and far.
I think the wine quality has been steadily rising with the more and more intriguing vineyard sources and wine projects that they are undertaking. CEO Jesús Martínez Bujanda Mora sought to create wines that have a very old-world feel as he represents the fifth generation of his family’s 130-year-old wine business in La Rioja. At the helm is Devyani Gupta who is originally from Portland and is a fellow graduate of Whitman College. During her tenure at Whitman, she worked for Amavi Cellars and in 2016 she completed the enology and viticulture program at Walla Walla Community College. She later worked for FIGGINS and Toil before being hired at Valdemar.
I am totally enamored by her 2023 Valdemar Estates ‘Component Trial Las Canteras’ Viognier (OB, 94) which is marvelously stony and has a great bright underlying acidity, with serious texture. Learn more about this special winery project at https://www.valdemarestates.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Valdemar Estates
2023 Valdemar Estates ‘Component Trial Las Canteras’ Viognier- This outstanding new Viognier comes from the Las Canteras Vineyard which is the inaugural vintage from this vineyard planted in the Walla Walla Rocks District. A total show-stopper, this comes off beautifully textured and very flinty with rich melon, slate, kiwi and suggestions of sweetened gooseberry on the palate. Round and generous, with serious concentration and texture, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2031- 94
2021 Valdemar Estates ‘Component Trial WeatherEye Vineyard’ Grenache-Coming from this famed site at the northern part of Red Mountain the 2021 Valdemar Estates ‘Component Trial WeatherEye Vineyard’ Grenache delivers rich fig and chocolate flavors alongside black raspberry and garrige notes on the palate. Complex and delicious, showing a polished texture, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2021 Valdemar Estates ‘Blue Mountain Vineyard’ Syrah- Coming from this outstanding, high-elevation site for Rhone Varietals the 2021 Valdemar Estates ‘Blue Mountain Vineyard’ Syrah is inky in the glass, delivering smoked meats, creme de violette and tar notes on the palate, with serious freshness and excellent texture. Really well-balanced, with gobs of freshness, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 93