Ventures New York

Monday, July 17, 2006

Two Winemakers from Wala Wala, Washington

Did you ever hear of wines from Wala Wala, Washington? I hadn't, until last Friday evening, when I met John Turner and Justin Michaud, while having a drink at one of New York's nationally known restaurants.

John is managing partner, and Justin is assistant winemaker at Ash Hollow Estate Vineyards & Winery in Wala Wala (www.AshHollow.com)

Both men were in town to spread the word in New York about their wines and their eight-year-old wine business. At that particular moment on Friday evening, they were delivering a wine sample for tasting to the restaurant's sommelier.

Ash Hollow is a boutique winery which "focuses on producing ultra-premium quality wines," its latest newsletter/brochure says.

It is located within the Western edge of the Wala Wala Valley appellation. On the same 46-degree North latitude as Bordeaux, France, "it has become an exceptional source for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Syrah grapes," the newsletter states.

Ash Hollow produces several whites, reds and rose, all in limited quantities. For example, it produced 600 cases of its Somanna 2005, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris; 200 cases of its Gewurztraminer 2005, and 41 cases of its Cabernet Franc Rose 2005.

In the past several years, Ash Hollow has received praise from a number of well-known wine critics, including Robert M. Parker Jr. of the The Wine Advocate and Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide, and James Laube of Wine Spectator Weekly.

I enjoyed my conversation with Turner and Michaud, and wish them well in promoting both their own label, and the wines of Wala Wala.

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