One of the oldest wineries in Walla Walla, Dunham Cellars was founded by the Dunham family in 1995. These have consistently been great wines that totally over-deliver for the price. The lineup has become one of the most impressive range of wines that do not break the bank.
At the helm is winemaker Rob Campisi, who was formerly assistant winemaker at Dunham. Rob trained under eminent Washington winemaker, Dan Wampfler and he crafts quite a wide range of wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Trutina (Bordeaux style blend), Three Legged Red (red table wine) and the "Shirley Mays" Chardonnay, a dedication to Eric's grandmother.
I love the new 2025 Dunham Cellar ‘Columbia Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 92) which shows beautiful texture and weight. I was blown away with the 2021 Dunham Cellars ‘Lewis Vineyard Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which shows off the heat from this warmer vintage, with great opulence and richness, with outstanding flavor range. Learn more about these beautiful wines at dunhamcellars.com Here are the great new wines by Dunham Cellars.
2025 Dunham Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc- Coming from the McNarry and Gamache Vineyards, this is 100% varietal wine that was stored in mainly stainless steel before bottling. Lychee and pineapple combine with nutty nuances on the nose. The palate is rich and layered with amazing length and freshness. Dense and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2026-2034- 92
2025 Dunham Cellars ‘Shirley Mays’ Chardonnay- The 2025 ‘Shirley Mays’ was sourced from the Lewis Estate and Kenny Hill Estate Vineyards. This was stored in roughly 30% new French oak, this offers pie crust and cardamom notes on the nose alongside ripe banana and shades of rich melon. The palate is silky and refined mouthfeel and has a terrific push/pull between richness, flavor density and mouth-watering acidity. Drink 2026-2034- 93
2024 Dunham Cellars ‘Three Legged Red’ Red Wine- The outstanding 2024 Dunham Cellars ‘Three Legged Red’ Red Wine is comprised of equal parts Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, this shows black tea, tar, dark currants and milk chocolate notes on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh with a soft mouthfeel. Drink 2026-2032- 91
2023 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Trutina’ combines near equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Cedar, dark currants and tar alongside black floral all mark the nose. The palate is lush and refined with terrific weight. Well-balanced with terrific weight and texture, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 93
2023 Dunham Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah- The 2023 ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah comes from the Lewis and Kenny Hill Vineyards and was stored in a small amount of new French oak before bottling. Purple florals combine with iodine, tar, blackberry compote and black licorice. The palate is dense and viscous with terrific texture, richness and finesse. A glorious wine that is already drinking beautifully, watch this evolve over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2036- 93
2022 Dunham Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The astonishingly good 2022 Dunham Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon coming mainly from the Lewis and Kenny Hill Vineyards. This has a really small amount of new American oak with 25% new French oak before bottling. Dark in the glass, this delivers sandalwood, creme de cassis and sagebrush with bitter chocolate notes that combine on the nose. The palate is plush, round and generous with a seamless mouthfeel and good underlying sense of freshness. Everything has come together nearly here. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2026-2041- 94
2022 Dunham Cellars ‘Lewis Vineyard Artist Series’ Syrah- The 2022 Dunham Cellars ‘Lewis Vineyard Artist Series’ Syrah saw roughly 21 months of barrel age. It is inky in the glass, offering tar, purple flowers, charcuterie and black currant candy alongside shades of sweet tobacco leaf. The palate is fresh and refined with a smooth mouthfeel and terrific viscosity considering the coolness of the vintage. This is a beautiful wine from this slightly cooler year. Drink 2026-2036- 95
2021 Dunham Cellars ‘Lewis Vineyard Artist Series’ Merlot- This 2021 ‘Lewis Vineyard’ Merlot was aged for 23 months in 25% new French oak before bottling and has 12% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. The color is ultra-dark, as this offers black cherry compote, tar, black licorice and baking spices on the nose. The palate is ultra-refined as this glides throughout the drinking experience. A complex, delicious bottling that has a long way to go in the cellar, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2041-96
2021 Dunham Cellars ‘Lewis Vineyard Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Dunham Cellars ‘Lewis Vineyard Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% varietal that was stored for 22 months in 53% new French oak before bottling. Anise, purple rose petals, pipe tobacco, pencil lead and shades of huckleberry compote all mark the nose. The palate is dense and heady with amazing verve, richness and balance. This is unbelievably good to enjoy now and has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2026-2043- 96
2022 Dunham Cellars ‘Lewis Vineyard Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Dunham Cellars ‘Lewis Vineyard Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows off coffee grounds, blackberry compote, and shades of creosote on the nose with meaty accents. The palate is beautifully-textured, with a seamless mouthful and terrific sense of weight and balance, with good salty nuance. Drink 2026-2042- 95