Washington State offers a plethora of diversity with a range of microclimates from arid, desert-like valleys to mountainous, high-elevation regions with an abundance of soil types. This diversity enables the state to grow everything from classic International varieties, like some of the best Merlot and Syrah in North America, to Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and even German varieties.

In the heart of Walla Walla, in the eastern part of the state, The Walls Vineyards is elevating the wines from the region with a mix of Rhone blends, single variety Tempranillo, and luscious Cabernet Sauvignon, all labeled whimsically with a play on its name, i.e. there is a wall on every bottle. The winery embraces tradition while working with innovation, bringing unique mixes to the forefront in true American style. The Walls began in 2014 when owner Mike Martin somewhat hesitantly jumped into the winemaking business head-on on realizing life is short, unpredictable, and ever-evolving. There is no time like today to take the chance of a lifetime, leaving the corporate world behind, investing in the promise of what Washington wines could be, living, and leading with curiosity. 

Sandy loess soils, exceedingly hot temperatures, arid breezes, and very little rain create an environment where vines must dig deep into the earth to find water and nutrients, creating earthy, intense, mineral-driven wines with rich character, as The Walls displays in its Curiositas Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Black fruit, graphite, dark chocolate, warm spice, and espresso leap from the glass with chewy tannins. Allow the wine to breathe for an hour or so before enjoying it, or you can easily cellar it for a few years before enjoying it. Pair the wine with a juicy grilled ribeye or braised short ribs.  

Sometimes, white Rhone blends can come across as rather flat, without the natural acidity and brightness necessary to lift the palate and deliver a wine that is as interesting to drink as it is to contemplate and consider. The Walls Lip Stinger White Blend shines as an example of a white Rhone blend that is well-made, juicy, zesty, and deliciously lively. From fruit grown in the Columbia Valley AVA, influenced by cooler temperatures around the Columbia River ensuring freshness in the wine, the blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 25% Viognier, 17% Roussanne, 4% Marsanne, 2% Picpoul, and 2% Clairette Blanche delivers layers of ripe peaches, apricots, nectarine, soft herb, crushed stone, and golden citrus.

From Walla-Walla’s Rocks District, The Walls Wonderful Nightmare is an earthy, expressive wine composed of 75% Tempranillo with 25% sun-loving Mourvedre. Dense, textural, and complex, the wine showcases the rugged region, delivering layers of dried leather, soft tobacco, red plum, and savory balsamic, with wet leaves, warm spice, and a hint of minerality. Washington’s Red Mountain delivers some of the best expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon in the state.