Whitman Cellars 
Whitman
Cellars produces traditional Bordeaux and Rhone style wines, currently
offering Viognier, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, a proprietary
blend called "Narcissa" and
a port style wine. Whitman Cellars was founded in 1998, when owners
John Edwards and Larry & Sally Thomason crushed two barrels of Merlot
and one of Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2001, Whitman Cellars opened a tasting
room in downtown Walla Walla and the winery won several awards for their
99 vintage wines. In 2002, Steve Lessard joined the winery as winemaker
and the winery built a new winery facility across from Canoe Ridge Winery. Steve
came to Whitman from California, where he made wine at winerys such as
Chalone and Stags Leap Wine Cellars. In 1996 he moved to Washington State
and worked at Hedges for six vintages. He draws on methods he learned
in producing Stags Leap Wine Cellars' famous Cask 23 blend in making
the Whitman Cellars wines. 
Whitman Cellars Sources grapes From the Following
Vineyards: Seven Hills Vineyard
One of the best known vineyards in the Northwest, Seven Hills is located
on the southern end of the Walla Walla appellation. Seven Hills has
a tremendous record of producing some of the best wines in the country.
Its vast size (about 170 acres) and intense diversity produce a multitude
of vinifera varieties. It also shows unique terroir differences among
single varieties planted in different microclimates within the vineyard.
In addition to Syrah and Merlot, we produce from Seven Hills Cabernet
Sauvignon grown down in the rocks of the ancient riverbed as well as
those grown from the higher, sandy, Southern-facing slopes. Pepperbridge Vineyard
Located just South of Walla Walla, this vineyard is lowest in elevation
and is situated on very porous, fine, sandy soil. The excellent drainage
capabilities of the soil make it a premier site for rich and intense
Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Merlot. Les Colene Vineyard
An exposed site at about 900 feet in elevation, and East of Walla Walla,
the Les Colene Vineyard is an excellent site for Cabernet Sauvignon
and Syrah. Soils are a deep porous sandy loess with some rock. Waliser Vineyard
Situated on the rocky ancient riverbed, the Waliser Vineyard produces
distinctive floral Cabernet Franc. Cougar Crest Vineyard
At the base of the Seven Hills Vineyard, the Cougar Crest Vineyard produce
Viognier and Syrah of stand alone quality. Yellowjacket Vineyard
This new vineyard is a real gem, situated on the rocks of the ancient
riverbed, trained on a VSP system, yielding about 1.5 tons per acre
and producing beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon. Spofford Station
A fertile site close to the Les Colene Vineyard, the Spofford Station
Vineyard is an exceptional Syrah Vineyard with deep sandy loess and
excellent management practices. Red Mountain Vineyard
(Red Mountain AVA)
The Red Mountain Vineyard produces great fruit. Our winemaker, after
six years at Hedges on Red Mountain, will continue to keep a few tons
of Cabernet Sauvignon for our port style wine. He has used a little
to blend with our table wines this year with excellent results. The
Red Mountain Vineyard is a very warm site on very porous, sandy loess
producing big, forward, intense wines. 
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