Walla Walla Vintners was founded in 1995 by pioneering winemakers Gordy Venneri and Myles Anderson in the shadow of the Blue Mountains. It was the eighth winery in Walla Walla Valley. In the following two decades, they built a reputation for producing elegant and age-worthy wines. In 2016, Walla Walla Vintners was named “Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year” by Wine Press Northwest.
In 2017 both Anderson and Venneri retired and sold the winery to Scott and Nici Haladay. Scott Haladay and winemaker Derrek Vipond continue the tradition of the winery and innovate.
The estate vineyard is located at over 1,400 ft. in the Mill Creek Valley in the shadow of the picturesque Blue Mountains. The southwest exposure with abundant sunshine, relatively high elevation, and wide diurnal temperature swings help the estate grapes ripen slowly and evenly, promote steady sugar accumulation, and retain acidity. Thanks to abundant rainfall during the winter months, this Walla Walla winery can dry farm and focus on sustainable winemaking.
In our conversation with Derrek, we learned that one of the keys to their success is the winery’s long-term relationships with premier grape growers in the valley.
Year Founded: 1995
Winemaker: Derrek Vipond
Wines: Rosé, White, Red, Red Blends
Grapes: Cabernet Frank, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Syrah
AVA: Walla Walla, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Notable Vineyards: Cut Bank (Estate), Seven Hills, Windrow, Dwelley, Pepper Bridge, and Yellow Bird
Fun Facts: Walla Walla Vintners is among the pioneers and the eighth winery in the Walla Walla. Derrek Vipond joined the winery in 2019