Gilles Nicault of Long Shadows Distinguished Wineries and Vineyards
Long Shadows Named 2018 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest
At Long Shadows Wineries and Vineyards, old and new worlds meet in WA state to produce amazing wines. Distinguished winemakers from France, Italy, Germany, Australia, and California come to Long Shadows to express our Washington terroir with their special winemaking styles. The on-site winemaker who makes it all happen is Gilles Nicault, named winemaker of the year in 2016 by Seattle Magazine. Originally from France’s renowned Rhone wine region, he fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and has called Walla Walla home since the mid-1990s. After working with Rick Small at Woodward Canyon, Gilles was hired as Director of Winemaking for Long Shadows when Allen Shoup started the winery in 2003.
Gilles is in some ways like an actor who goes in and out of different personas, in this case winemaker personas. He makes six wines to the specifications of other winemakers: Pedestal Merlot Bordeaux blend (Michel Rolland), Pirouette Cabernet Sauvignon Bordeaux blend (Philippe Melka), Feather Cabernet Sauvignon (Randy Dunn), Sequel Syrah (John Duval), Saggi super Tuscan blend (Folonari family), and Poet’s Leap Riesling (Armin Diel). But he also makes his own wines, in particular the Chester-Kidder Long Shadows wine that blends Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, with a touch of Petit Verdot. In this interview, Gilles talks about why he considers his position at Long Shadows to be the dream job, the different winemaking styles featured in Long Shadows wines, Long Shadows’ second label Nine Hats, particularly the new Nine Hats tasting room and Nine Pies Pizzeria that recently opened in SODO in South Seattle, and much more.
Listen to the Interview: