 Colvin
Vineyards is the
dream of owner and winemaker Mark Colvin. He designed the blueprint for
the structure on paper when the Colvin family was still living in Steamboat
Springs, Colorado, and the winery was still just a distant dream.
Colvin Vineyards is truly a family business. Mark's
wife, JoAnne, is the winery co-founder. She assists with the organization
of the winery and provides inspiration and experience. Their daughter
Katherine, 11, has the title of "Creative Consultant" for discovering
the rock that became the winery's logo.
JoAnne's son Brian Glover acts
as assistant winemaker, and friends and neighbors help out with harvest
and crush. Additionally, JoAnne's daughter Kristen Glover has been instrumental
in organizing the winery's computer system.
 About the Logo
During the brutally hot
summer of 1998, as Mark lay in a hammock recovering from a tortuous day
in the
vineyard, the Colvins' then seven-year old daughter Katherine said, "Daddy,
look at this neat rock I found." As Mark held the rock in his hands
and turned it over, there, to his amazement, was the logo. A golf-ball-sized
piece had calved off of this rock and exposed an intricate pattern which
is now our logo. In honor of her discovery, Katherine now holds the title
of "Creative Consultant" for the winery, and Mark rewards her
with a dollar commission each time he tells someone the story of The Rock.
How the Winery Came to Be
Part One: Colorado
In 1982, winemaker Mark Colvin was a student at the University of Colorado
pharmacy school in Boulder. While there, he tasted a 1978 Chateau Cheval
Blanc that astonished his senses with its complex aromas, tastes, and
textures. That one bottle of wine changed his life.
Vowing to find out more about wine, he spent the next ten years learning
as much as he could from books. As he did so, he became more and more convinced
that he wanted to be a winemaker. He also knew that he and his family would
have to relocate, since Steamboat Springs, Colorado isn't exactly wine
country.
The Colvins began to research suitable places for their winery. They briefly
considered Napa Valley, where JoAnne had been born and raised.
Then, in 1987, Mark read about the Walla Walla Valley
and drove there to talk with one of the first winemakers. He returned to
Colorado convinced that the Walla Walla Valley was the right place. In
1993, the Colvin family moved from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to Walla
Walla, Washington.
Part Two: Walla Walla
After moving to Walla Walla, Mark began the more practical side of his
continuing wine education by planting a vineyard in 1994. He spent four
years learning about the vine from personal experience, other growers
and winemakers-especially Rusty Figgins of Glen Fiona.
After a few amateur vintages, Colvin Vineyards was
ready for their first commercial crush. In 1999, Ron Coleman of Tamarack
Cellars graciously offered the use of his facility to crush their meager
thirteen tons of Syrah and Merlot. This first vintage with Ron honed Mark's
skills as a winemaker, and provided the confidence to proceed with more
ambitious plans.
Colvin Vineyards crushed their 2000 vintage at Mill
Creek Cellars, and, with two vintages under their belt, began making plans
with Henderson Orchard's guidance to build the winery Mark designed so
long ago. The log winery they had always dreamed of became a reality.
In 2001, at their newly completed facility, Colvin Vineyards crushed seventy
tons of fruit comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, Cabernet
Franc, and Syrah
. They say chemists make great cooks. And certainly
Mark's pharmaceutical and scientific side is fascinated by the amazing
number of different flavors
and aromas provided by the components found in a single bottle of wine.
As a winemaker, he derives great pleasure out of both the mystery of great
wine and also the science of winemaking, combining both in his efforts
to produce fine vintages.
Reviews for Colvin Wines from Wine Press NW
2000 Merlot
This complex wine offers layered aromas of vanilla and nutmeg with bright
fruit and bittersweet chocolate flavors. Well-managed tannins lead to
a smooth palate through the finish.
2000 Syrah SOLD OUT
Winemaker Mark Colvin is building a reputation as a quality red wine producer.
This tasty Syrah opens with cedar, spice, and herbal aromas, rich strawberry
jam flavors on the midpalate and silky chocolate on the finish.
2000 Cabernet Franc
With Classic vanilla, oak and berry aromas and flavors, this smooth red
is full of finesse and rich jamminess on the midpalate and bittersweet
chocolate on the finish.
2000 Walla Walla Red SOLD OUT
This blend of Cab, Merlot, and Cab Franc offers a rich balance of smoky
oak, concentrated blackberry flavors and big tannins. This is no simple
table wine.
Awards for Colvin Wines
Double Gold
2000 Syrah SOLD OUT - San Francisco International Wine Competition
Gold
2000 Syrah SOLD OUT - Riverside International Wine Competition
Silver
2000 Merlot - Northwest Wine Summit
2000 Cabernet Franc - Northwest Wine Summit
2000 Cabernet Franc - Los Angeles County Fair
Bronze
2000 Cabernet Franc - Riverside International Wine Competition
2000 Merlot - San Francisco International Wine Competition
2000 Cabernet Franc - San Francisco International Wine Competition
2000 Walla Walla Red SOLD OUT - San Francisco International Wine Competition
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