Forgeron Cellars

Marie-Eve Gilla of Forgeron Cellars

9 September 2015

Marie-Eve Gilla learned winemaking at the University of Dijon and in the Burgundy region of France.   She came to Walla Walla in 2001 and has found her training in Burgundy to be excellent preparation for making fine wines in Washington.  Although Chardonnay is her signature wine, she now works with a diverse array of varietals, including ones not often found in WA such as primitivo, which Marie-Eve refers to as "zinfandel on steroids."  

Linking primitivo to zinfandel is no accident, as they are genetically the same grape.   Primitivo tends to be the term used in Italy and zinfandel in California.  There can be differences in cluster sizes between the two, and different terroir and winemaking techniques have led over the years to different taste profiles, despite the genetic similarity in the grapes.  In the U.S. wine labels may not use the terms primitivo and zinfandel interchangeably.  Forgeron Cellars is the only winery I know of in Washington that produces both a primitivo and a zinfandel.

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Hello, World!

Hedges Family Estate

Tom Hedges and Sarah Hedges Goedhart of Hedges Family Estate

26 August 2015

The Hedges family were pioneers on Red Mountain, bringing an old-world passion for terroir to their vineyards and excellent Washington wines.  They see themselves as "Guardians of Red Mountain," always improving the vineyard soils with sustainable and biodynamic farming practices. Their story begins in a 12th-century church in the Champagne region of France and continues in Eastern Washington with their outstanding wines.

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Sulei Cellars

Tanya Woodley and Elaine Jomwe of Sulei Cellars

12 August 2015

Sulei Cellars was declared "Washington Winery to Watch" by Wine Press Northwest in 2012.  Winemaker Tanya Woodley and Operations Manager Elaine Jomwe produce outstanding Washington wines under their Sulei and Roller Girl labels.  They left Portland in 2005 to come to Walla Walla to pursue their dream of making wine and have never looked back. 

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Long Shadows Vintners

ALLEN SHOUP AND LONG SHADOWS VINTNERS

29 July 2015

Few people have had a greater impact on the Washington wine industry than has Allen Shoup.  As CEO of Chateau Ste. Michelle for 17 years and now as founder of Long Shadows Vintners, Allen Shoup has helped to put Washington on the world wine map.  Listen to this interview for thoughts on the roots of the Washington wine industry, what Washington as a wine region does best, the virtues of petit verdot, and much more.

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Malaga Springs Winery

Al Mathews of Malaga Springs Winery

Al Mathews is a very talented fellow. He’s a building contractor who has developed a small Southwestern-style stucco and straw-bale village at Malaga Springs Winery, which he owns with his wife Kathy.  He grows grapes, makes excellent Washington wines, runs a salmon fishing business in summer, and is a ceramic artist. 

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