One of the most talked about new wineries in the Walla Walla Valley is Mongata. Our next door neighbors had visited there and recommended it to us. So we thought we should check it out.

On Sunday, October 9, we drove down to Milton-Freewater and the five miles east to the South Fork of the Walla Walla River where we found the Mongata Winery, located in the Resurgent Vineyard by the River. There, we met Scott and Vicki Nokleby, Founders and Partners. We already had some familiarity with the Resurgent Vineyard from wines made by Canvasback and Prospice Cellars, but this was the first time we've had wines from Mongata which owns the vineyard. Situated at an elevation if 1440 feet, 17 acres of vines are planted, 5 of Chardonnay (the first vintage to be 2022), 5 of Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 of Syrah and 2 of Viognier. Soils are composed of riverbed cobblestone and basalt in a canyon formed by river erosion. The production of the 2020 vintage was 380 cases and in 2021, 850 cases, with projections going to 1500 cases. The winery has an active club. "The Strawberry Moon Club" and "Blue Moon Club." There are wedding and private events as well as Winery events. The winery is in a barn built in 1912. Peter Devison is the winemaker, Damon Lalonde the vineyard consultant and Lance Bullock the vineyard manager.

During our visit, we tasted the winery's inaugural vintages. Here are capsule tasting notes. Full reviews to be in the November issue of the Review of Washington Wines.

2021 Mongata Estate Rosé of Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Resurgent Vineyard ($28) - This 100% Syrah presents a copper-pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, currant and orange with floral scents and bright, vivid flavors that pick up creme fraiche and orange peel on the lingering dry finish. 19/20 points.

2020 Mongata Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Resurgent Vineyard ($48) - This is a dramatic Syrah with perfumed aromas and black and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, black tea and cobblestone minerals, along with orange peel, glove leather and a savory moderate tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2020 Mongata Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Resurgent Vineyard ($54) - Co-fermented with 10% Syrah and blended with a bit of Cab Franc, this offers intense aromas of blackberries, black cherries and plums, with bold yet refined dark fruit flavors that keep on going into a lingering satiny tannin finish, marked by precise fruit acids. 19+/20 points.

The name Mongata, by the way, is a twist on the Swedish word "Mangata," meaning "path of the moon." The winery's card says, "There's a new Winery in town well, just a little out of town...it's worth the drive." Yes, it's a reward to visit. Go to mongatawinery.com for more information and appointments.