Walla Walla Vintners

Myles Anderson of Walla Walla Vintners

21 October 2015

It’s always fun to interview a legend, and Myles Anderson was inducted into the Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame in 2011.  He came to Walla Walla in 1977 when there was only one commercial winery in the area.  Thanks to a book by Alexis Lichine and a barn in the area, Myles started making wine in Walla Walla with some zinfandel grapes in 1982.  His real job was deaning, and as a former dean, I’m thrilled to know there is wine life after deaning.  And what a life Myles has had, founding with Gordy Venneri what is now the 6th oldest winery in Walla Walla.  Their first “good” wine was a Cab in 1994, but now there’s no such thing as a bad wine at Walla Walla Vintners. 

It’s amazing to me how some folks have been able to make good wine by reading books, watching others, and then plunging into the task.  But Myles, a Walla Walla Community College President, and winemakers in the area had different ideas about how winemakers should be educated.  A commitment to hands-on education for the wine industry and a pile of checks totaling $4 million led to one of the finest Enology and Viticulture Programs in the country.  Listen to the story here, and find out the key to the art of winemaking.

Listen to the Interview:

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