It has been 20 years since Miles Lodmell and his son Andrew planted their first 15-acre vineyard near the Lower Snake River in Washington. As part of a Walla Walla Valley farming family with roots dating back to the late 1800s, they chose the acreage for its soil, composed of Ritzville loam and fractured basalt. Planted on a south-facing slope, the vines are exposed to high heat, shallow soils, and arid conditions that stress the grapes and yield intense flavor profiles.
After selling the coveted grapes to wineries across the state for several years, Andrew tried his own hand at winemaking in 2002. He released his first vintage, the 2005 Lodmell Cellars Estate Merlot, to rave reviews. In fact, this wine continues to receive accolades. Most recently, it was named a 2015 Diamond of the Decade at the 10th Annual Seattle Wine Awards for its longevity, class, balance, and beauty. Subsequent vintages of this wine have also won high acclaim, including the most recent release, the 2009 Lodmell Cellars Estate Merlot, recipient of awards at the 2015 Seattle Wine Awards, the 2014 Tri- Cities Wine Society Competition, and the 2015 Northwest Regional Wine Competition.
But Lodmell Cellars is lauded for more than Merlot. The estate vineyard has doubled in size to a total of 30 acres, and now, in addition to Merlot, it is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Sémillon.
The wines are proudly poured at the tasting room in downtown Walla Walla’s Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center. Guests are often greeted by Andrew’s sister, Kristie Lodmell Kirin, the winery’s business manager, who does a marvelous job of familiarizing them with Lodmell Cellars wines. “Andrew’s wines are crafted to preserve the qualities of the fruit from the vineyard,” Kristie says. It is fitting then, that all of the wines feature the image of a coiled snake in honor of their roots on the banks of the Snake River.
For more information, please visit: lodmellcellars.com