Walla Walla Wine News

Recently, there have been a few noteworthy wine industry events in the Walla Walla Valley. Here's the rundown.

Casey McClellan Retires from Seven Hills - This week it was announced that Casey McClellan was officially retiring from the Seven Hills Winery which the and his wife Vicky founded in 1988. The Crimson Wine Group of California purchased the winery in 2016 with Casey McClellan agreeing to stay on as winemaker until 2021. The McClellan family retains ownership of the vineyards, first planted in the 1980's. Casey has had over 30 years experience grown grapes and making wines and has deep roots in Oregon agriculture as a fourth generation farmer. In retiring, he is leaving a great legacy.

Southwind Vineyard Purchased by Sagemoor

The Southwind Vineyard was planted by the Middleton Wine Group in 2007 for the Cadaretta Winery. Located in the South Walla Walla Valley on the high slope also occupied by Ferguson Vineyard and Doubleback. The vineyard is also noted for the "Glass House" situated at the top ridge of the vineyard. The Cadaretta winery closed in 2016 when Middleton's properties were sold to Vintage Wine Estates. The Southwind Vineyards continues to contract with wineries for the sale of grapes. The new owner of Southwind is Horizon Vineyards, a partnership of Sagemoor Vineyards and Resource Land Holdings. This purchase expands Sagemoor's holdings beyond the Sagemoor, Dionysus and Weinbau properties. 

Basel Cellars to become Yellowhawk Resort

A couple of days ago, Dan Theisen co-partner in the group that owns Basel Cellars on the Old Milton-Freewater Highway, announced that the property would be called Yellowhawk Resort, expanding the winery's hospitality operations for weddings and receptions, beginning in July. There also are plans for the winery to focus on producing sparkling wines under the direction of George-Anne Robertson, a graduate of the Walla Walla Community College Enology and Viticulture program. 

Value Pinot Noirs

Over the past few weeks, we have been exploring affordable Pinots Noirs that can be purchased for under $25 at supermarkets. Here's what we discovered. 

From Oregon, we found three Pinots that represent different approaches to producing entry level wines.

2019 Firesteed Pinot Noir, Oregon ($16) - Firesteed was founded in 1992 as a concept in affordable Pinot Noir by Howard Rossbach who used to sell wines to Esquin before then. The winery purchases wines from around Oregon and blends them in a facility in Mattawa, Washington. This vintage offers a medium brick red color and attractive aromas of strawberry, cherry, red currant, rosebuds and a bit of sweet incense. The flavors are medium bodied yet characterful, with supple red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cola and earth, continuing on the back with pressed berries, roasted nuts and a soft, juicy finish. Purchased for $11.98 at Super 1. 17.5+/20 points.

2018 A to Z Pinot Noir, Oregon ($24) - A to Z contracts with growers all over Western Oregon for grapes and produces the wine at the Winery. Ruby colored, this wine possesses rich, smoky aromas of raspberry, cherry, red currant, rosebuds, tobacco and light incense. The flavors are medium bodied yet substantial, with notes of red licorice, cola, orange peel, tea and a bit of dusty earth. On the back, the wine turns slightly chewy textured with pressed fruits, toasted nuts and creme de cassis, followed by a nicely fruited soft tannin finish. Purchased for $19.98 at Super 1. 18/20 points.

2018 Ken Wright Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($25) - Ken Wright is known for its Estate Pinots from various vineyards. The entry level bottle is made from various lots and purchased wine. This shows a medium ruby-crimson color and rich aromas of raspberry, cherry, currant, rosebuds, tobacco and incense. The flavors are direct and medium bodied yet substantial, with notes of red licorice, cocoa, black tea and earth. The back picks up macerated berries, roasted nuts mocha, framboise and creme de cassis, followed by a chewy moderate tannin and acid finish. Purchased for $16.99 at Safeway. 18+/20 points.

We also picked up a couple of California Pinot Noirs.

2018 La Crema Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($32) - Medium brick red colored, this offers attractive aromas of strawberry, cherry, red currant, red roses, mulberry, tobacco leaf and whiffs of white incense. The flavors are medium bodied but substantial, with supple red fruits that are imbued with licorice, milk chocolate, pekoe tea and dusty earth. The soft textured back reveals gently pressed fruits, fraise and cassis liqueurs and No. 2 pencil lead, followed by a slightly grainy soft tannin finish. Purchased at Safeway for $21.99. 18/20 points.

2018 Meiomi Pinot Noir ($32) - This is composed of 60% Monterey, 27% Santa Barbara and 13% Sonoma counties. It shows a deep purplish color and engaging aromas of raspberry, cherry, currant, red roses, purple lilac and lightly spiced incense. The flavors are pleasingly supple, with bright red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cola, black tea and coastal earth. The back picks up pressed berries, roasted nuts, creme de cassis and soft charcoal, followed by a juicy, chewy moderate tannin finish. Purchased for $22.99 at Safeway. 18/20 points.