Vinum Wine Importing and Distributing, LLC

Washington

In recent years, Washington's wine industry has become the fastest-growing agricultural sector in the state. The number of Washington wineries has increased 400% in the last decade, attracting two million annual visitors to Washington wine country and creating a two million dollar wine-tourism industry.

Located approximately on the same latitude (46ºN) as some of the great French wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, Washington State wine country includes nine federally recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), commonly known as appellations; three of them share territory with Oregon State.

Walla Walla

The Walla Walla Valley wine region is the most remote of all Washington State wine regions. Ironically, that remoteness may be an advantage for Washington wineries located there. Some say it is the major contributing factor to the well-known esprit de corps of Walla Walla wineries and their vintners. Others say Washington wineries within this arid, 530 square-mile appellation are setting the standard for Northwest winemaking -- especially when it comes to Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons.

Lying within the larger Columbia Valley Appellation, the Walla Walla wine region includes land in both Washington and Oregon -- from the far southeast corner of Washington State to the northeast tip of Oregon. Although almost all Walla Walla wineries are currently located in Washington, there are vineyards in both states. Vineyard acreage totaled 800 acres in 1999 and reached 1,200 in 2001. More than 70 wineries (as of November 2006) call the Walla Walla Valley Appellation home. Those listed below are open to the public during some part of each year, although some ask that you call first.

Producers

Producers

Mannina Cellars

Mannina Cellars is a small, family run winery specializing in producing small lots of premium wine. Mannina Cellars is situated in the heart of the spectacular Walla Walla Valley where we can take advantage of one of Washington’s best “terroirs” Mannina Cellars was named after the maternal grandmother of the winemaker, who emigrated from Italy. SOLD BY VINUM IN WESTERN WASHINGTON ONLY
For winery information, plus tasting notes, please see: www.manninacellars.com

Balboa Winery

Balboa was started by Mike Sharon and Tom Glase with the intent purpose of bringing wine to the “masses”. Tom uses all screw cap closures making it easy for everyone to enjoy the distinct wines of Washington. Tom works with the vineyard manager daily to pick his fruit when it is ready and is able to maintain a complete hands-on philosophy to his wine making approach. Their goal is to make great wines that are a reflection not only of the varietals used but the soils of the Walla Walla area. They use only 2 & 3 year old barrels and age the wines for 18 months, and wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered to retain their true character.

SOLD BY VINUM IN OREGON ONLY
For some winery information, plus tasting notes & accolades, please see:

www.balboawinery.com

Bunnell Winery

The Bunnell Family Cellar hand-crafts two types of wine from grape varieties native to the Rhone Valley of France. Vins de l'endroit (wines of a place) are designed to capture the terroir of the vineyard or appellation from which they originate.Vins de l'esprit(wines of the creative spirit) are traditional and non-traditional expressions of the art of blending. The newRiverAeriebrand features varietal wines and blends selected for their unique character and quality. These wines are exceptional values. Winemaker, Ron Bunnell, has over 26 years of experience in California and Washington and brings the experience of some of the most celebrated winemakers from California, France and Italy.

SOLD BY VINUM IN OREGON& CLARK COUNTY WASHINGTON ONLY
For some winery & vineyard information, plus tasting notes& accolades, please see:

www.riveraerie.com or www.washingtonwine.org/profiles/bunnell-family-cellar/

Columbia Crest

At Columbia Crest we pride ourselves on delivering handcrafted, superior- quality small-lot wines, as well as affordable everyday Washington wines. Our first release in 1984 started a tradition that has established us as one of America’s most popular and fast-growing wineries.

Cougar Crest

Cougar Crest Winery was established on 50 acres of vineyard, all in the Walla Walla Appellation. After selling wine grapes to other wineries for years, owners Deborah and David Hansen, moved into making wine themselves after training at the University of California at Davis. It was there, among the California wineries, that their appreciation for the art of winemaking was born and transferred to their winemaking in Walla Walla. The first year, they raised all their own plants with cuttings from Windrow Vineyard (the original Seven Hills vineyard) and Cailloux Vineyard. The chosen site was Stellar Vineyard, and the plants flourished. They currently make wine from Estate Grown Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc,Viognier, Petit Verdot and Malbec, which will greatly expand our blending options and complexity in their Bordeaux varietals. Their wines are excellent examples of these Washington wine varietals! SOLD BY VINUM IN OREGON & CLARK COUNTY WASHINGTON ONLY

For winery and vineyard information, plus tasting notes & accolades, please see: www.cougarcrestwinery.com

Otis Kenyon

Otis Kenyon Wine is a family owned and managed winery with deep historical ties to the Walla Walla Valley. Their storied family history in the region is well worth the short read on their website. Otis Kenyon handcrafts limited quantities of elegantly structured and affordable Bordeaux and Rhone varietal wines from their estate and other Walla Walla vineyards. In tribute to four generations of Otis Kenyons, the family has returned to the Walla Walla Valley with a passion for time-honored winemaking, an unyielding commitment to excellence and a dedication to sustainable and bio-diverse viticultural practices.

SOLD BY VINUM IN OREGON & CLARK COUNTY WASHINGTON ONLY

For winery & vineyard information, plus bottlings and some tasting notes, please see: www.otiskenyonwine.com

428 Wines

What's in a number you may have thought? Well, think back to when you were growing up and the number of the house where you had the fondest memories? For the owners of 428 Wines, Jeff and Kim Sully and their young “executive” sons Kevin and Tom, it was 428 16th Street. Thus, the Four-Two-Eight label evokes family, good times, good friends, good food, and most important - having fun! Opening a bottle of 428 can bring you this experience. The Sullys certainly enjoy the fun of making it in their micro-winery in Walla Walla. Winemaker Jeff Sully makes the wines with neighbor Forgeron, sourcing Alder Ridge. See for yourself, what was that number again?

SOLD BY VINUM IN WASHINGTON ONLY

For winery information and tasting notes as well as some great photographs of their kids, please see: www.428wines.com

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