The àMaurice Vineyard Sold to Bledsoe | McDaniels

A few days ago, I received an announcement from the Schafer Family that their vineyard and winery had been sold to the Bledsoe | McDaniels operation. They stated: "We are elated to be passing all our hard work and vision, which has been intensely emotional and personal, to another true family enterprise. We will miss our sweet vineyard, yet we are grateful that the Bledsoe and McDaniels families will carry on our legacy." The àMaurice tasting rooms in Walla Walla and Woodinville will stay open to sell remaining inventory. closing at Walla Walla in December. The Bledsoe | McDanels winery plans to open a tasting room at the acquired facility in Spring 2023.

This sale is a continuation of consolidation of vineyards throughout the State. What is remarkable, with this acquisition, is that it gives the Bledsoe | McDaniels operation astonishing breadth in its vineyard holdings with 370 acres in the Walla Walla Valley, including the Bledsoe's Doubleback vineyards, and 80 acres in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. The 12.5 acres (to become 15 with additional plantings) of the àMaurice vineyard adds choice plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah. All this makes for an impressive operation. 

The 40th Harvest Celebration at L'Ecole No 41 

Yesterday (Friday, September 16), I attended the 40th Harvest Celebration at the L'Ecole No 41 winery at the Lowden Schoolhouse. It marked the 40th vintage for the winery which was founded by Baker and Jean Ferguson in 1983. There, appetizers by The Q Wood Fired Grill were served and current vintages were poured, including the newly released 2021 Evergreen Chardonnay and 2020 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate GSM (to be reviewed in the October issue). I said hi to Marty Clubb and Jaime Chalk. I also ran into Karen and my wine writing cohort Paul Gregutt and reminisced about the early days of winemaking in Washington and I noted that Baker Ferguson was one of my earliest customers at Esquin Wine Merchants in 1970. We also noted how many new wineries keep popping up in Washington.

Production tours on the crush pad, grape tastings and demonstrations of wine making instruments were also held. It was a great and lively event. Congratulations to the L'Ecole team for 40 years of winemaking!

More New Rosés 

Since last week's Rosé Wine Wrap-up Blog, a few more 2021 Rosés have turned up. The first two are from Washington State. For months the 2020 vintage was still on shelves, but the 2021s are now available.

2021 Waterbrook Sangiovese Rosé, Columbia Valley ($15) - This is an attractive Sangiovese Rosé. It shows a brilliant copper-pink color and aromas of raspberry, cranberry, pomegranate, watermelon and Mandarin orange, with scents of spring flowers, orange blossoms and whiffs of orange incense. The flavors are lightly extracted with red, orange and pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, melon rind and orange peel. The back picks up pink liqueurs on the way to a light alcohol (11%) dry, finely fruited finish. Purchased for $11.99. 18+/20 points.

2021 14 Hands Rosé, Columbia Valley ($18) - This offers a light copper-tinged pink color and attractive aromas of strawberry, watermelon, pink cherry and pink grapefruit, with scents of summer flowers and cherry blossoms. The flavors are fresh and lively, with pink fruits that are accented by grape skins and cherry stones and melon rind. The back picks up fraise liqueur and grapefruit peel, followed by a nicely juiced finish.  Super value when purchased for $12.99. Lynn: 3 of 3 stars. 18.5/20 points.

From California, here's a charmer.

2021 Diora "La Belle Fête" Rosé of Pinot Noir, Monterey ($16.99 - Safeway) - Light cooper tinged colored, this possesses floral aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, tangerine, pink roses, pink lilac and pink incense. The flavors are light yet bright and deft. with pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and Monterey hillside minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and cerise liqueurs and tangerine peel, followed by a refreshing dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

And here's a gem that I picked up at The Thief in Walla Walla.

2021 Domaine Santa Gulietta Vin de Corse Rosé ($19) - This Corsican Rosé is produced from 40% Niellucello, 35% Sciaccarelieu (indigenous grapes) and 25% Grenache. It sports a light pink color and fresh aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, red currant, orange, cherry and orange blossoms, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors, as well, are alluring, with deftly extracted pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and hillside minerals. On the back, the wine stays fresh and bright with fred fruit liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a nicely juiced finish. 18.5+/20 points.