A lullaby is a song you sing to a baby to lull it to sleep by creating a sense that all is well. It is also the name chosen by winemaker Virginie Bourgue for her new boutique winery in Walla Walla which is the realization of her dream. Every culture has its own lullaby and has had so from ancient times. Her choice of the name reflects her determination to connect earth and people in a simple way with her wine and to acknowledge human universality. It is also a tribute to women and femininity.

Virginie came to winemaking in the most natural way. She grew up in Bonnieux, Provence in the south of France in a family whose roots are in agriculture and food. She studied viticulture in Avignon and got her master's degree in enology in Champagne where she worked in some of France's most famous wine houses including Champagne Louis Roederer and Champagne Bollinger. In 2002, she moved to Washington and worked at Chateau Ste Michelle. Soon after she became the winemaker for Bergevin in the Walla Walla Valley and in 2007 left to become the winemaker for Cadaretta. Virginie is no stranger to hard work and study and participated in the WA to WA exchange program, the second WA being Western Australia.

Virginie is determined that Lullaby will alway be a small production winery. Her goal is to produce wines that have balance, softness, complexity, soul, and a sense of place. Every one of Lullaby's labels contains a butterfly and each butterfly is different to reflect the difference of the wines. Traditionally the butterfly has served as a symbol of transformation, a reflection of the different stages one goes through in life.

In Virginie's current stage she is not only running her own winery and crafting wines with a slight French flair that reflect the unique terroir and her own personality, she is also consulting for others in the Walla Walla and Columbia Valley region. She is also helping people get started in the wine industry, in the cocoon stage so to speak. Lullaby is still young and will likely undergo many transformations in the years to come as Virginie continues to combine her scientific background with her palate - the result will be intriguing flavors and wines that reflect her passion and allow her to be herself.

Read more about Virginie and Lullaby Winery on Avalon Wine.