Monday, April 23, 2012

Kathryn Hall Releases First Vintage of WALT Wines

Napa Valley, CA – Today, Kathryn Hall announced the upcoming May 1st, 2012 release of the first vintage of WALT Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines on May 1st, 2012. These Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines are the first to be produced by Director of Winemaking Steve Leveque and Winemaker Megan Gunderson. The WALT name was selected to honor Kathryn Hall’s parents, Bob and Dolores Walt, who were Kathryn’s inspiration to engage in vineyards and winemaking.  A select number of the wines will be available nationwide at fine wine shops and restaurants.  The balance of the portfolio will only be available directly from the winery.   
“From the beginning, we have been committed to producing quality wine that truly expresses the character of each vineyard site,” said Kathryn Hall, Owner and Vintner.   “With the launch of WALT Wines, we look forward to reinforcing our commitment and continuing the work of Roger and Richard Roessler, who were dedicated to finding the finest sites for Pinot Noir from the Pacific Coast.  By making compelling, delicious wines that are honest expressions of the land they come from, I hope to honor my parents - Bob and Dolores Walt – who grew grapes with a passion in Mendocino County.”
The debut collection of WALT Wines is made up of five Pinot Noirs and a single Chardonnay, which are crafted from fruit grown in cool climate and low-vigor hillside sites, providing the wines with an elegant, opulent, supple and silky taste. WALT Wines’ labels feature a clean, simple and contemporary aesthetic and the artwork pays homage to the four appellations WALT Wines draws their fruit from: Sonoma County, Anderson Valley, Sta. Rita Hills and Willamette Valley.  More information on these wines can be found at www.waltwines.com, or at the WALT tasting room, located on the historic plaza in Sonoma.
The WALT winemaking approach places special emphasis on the grower as a critical element of the equation, due to the fact that they must possess an optimal site, infrastructure, and a passion for quality. As a result, WALT Wines’ grape contacts are often per acre, ensuring vine and flavor balance. Several key techniques are utilized to produce premier wines, including night harvesting, sorting, native yeast fermentations, as well as small lot fermentations in modern facilities that allow for the utmost precision and care.
WALT Wines are produced at the state-of-the-art HALL winemaking facilities in St. Helena, the first winery in California to be distinguished as a Gold certified facility by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® Green Building Rating System.
2010 WALT La Brisa Pinot Noir
Appellation: Sonoma County
Vineyard: An appellation blend from La Brisa
Release Date: May 12
Price: $40 per bottle (750 ML)

2010 WALT Blue Jay Pinot Noir
Appellation: Anderson Valley
Vineyard: An appellation blend from Blue Jay
Release Date: May 12
Price: $40 per bottle (750 ML)

2010 WALT Clos Pepe Pinot Noir
Appellation: Santa Rita Hills
Vineyard: Clos Pepe
Release Date: May 12
Price: $60 per bottle (750 ML)
 
2010 WALT Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Vineyard: Gap’s Crown
Release Date: May 12
Price: $60 per bottle (750 ML)

2010 WALT Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir
Appellation: Williamette Valley
Vineyard: Shea Vineyard
Release Date: August 12
Price: $60 per bottle (750 ML)
 
2010 WALT La Brisa Chardonnay
Appellation: Sonoma County
Vineyard: An appellation blend from La Brisa
Release Date: May 12
Price: $35 per bottle (750 ML)
 
About WALT Wines
WALT is dedicated to the production of premier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Pacific Coast’s most distinctive vineyard sites, spanning nearly 1000 miles and including Sta. Rita Hills, Sonoma County, Anderson Valley, and the Willamette Valley.  Our philosophy is that of precision, non-interventionist winemaking, thereby allowing the wines to naturally and honestly express the character of the site where the wines are grown. For additional information on WALT Wines, please visit www.waltlwines.com.
 

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