Waterbrook
Winery was founded in 1984 by Eric and Janet Rindal and is located in
Washington State's lovely Walla Walla Valley. Our name was chosen to
complement the translation from Nez Perce Indian dialect for the name
Walla Walla, meaning "running water". Production has slowly
increased to a total of 30,000 cases annually.
THE
REGION
Encompassing a vast portion of Eastern Washington, the Columbia Valley
includes areas defined by the Columbia, Snake and Yakima Rivers. The
region is characterized by dry, arid conditions with long daylight hours
and cool nights, which allow the grapes to ripen at a slow, even pace.
The Walla Walla Valley is slightly cooler and wetter. The regions must
all rely completely on irrigation throughout the season as rainfall
averages only 8 to 11 inches annually.
THE
CRAFT OF WINEMAKING
With every vintage, knowledge of individual vineyard characteristics
and winemaking subtleties have contributed to Waterbrook wines' complexity
and flavor profiles. The goal for the red wines has been to make softer,
fleshier wines for early enjoyment while still maintaining the wines'
depth and structure. Results have been gratifying and as such, the demand
for both the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot has been far beyond supply.
Waterbrook Chardonnay is now recognized as one of the most consistent,
best values in its very competitive field. For five years, The Wine
Spectator has listed it as one of the world's top fifty wine values.
Every year new French, American and European oak is added, and the costly,
painstaking work of barrel fermentation continues - a Waterbrook tradition
in Chardonnay.
The Label Art
The Waterbrook
philosophy of combining traditional winemaking with modern technology
is reflected in the Waterbrook label. Local impressionist artist Aaron
Burgess collaborates with high tech graphic designers of Giordano Kearfott
to create a modern label with a classic element.
Aaron
Burgess's bold strokes of vibrant color throughout his landscape of
Mill Creek speak for themselves in the Waterbrook label. A self-taught
painter, Burgess took his education into his own hands at the age of
15. With his departure from conventional education, he continued his
studies in art history and ancient European literature.
Burgess strives to combine both the structure
and the aesthetics of the natural world into an everlasting image on
canvas. "Works of art should appeal to both experts and the interested
laymen," says Burgess.
We feel Giordano Kearfott of Seattle created
a wonderful label with an architectural feel combining modern lines
and space to take Waterbrook into the future.
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Waterbrook
Winery was founded in 1984 by Eric and Janet Rindal and is located in
Washington State's lovely Walla Walla Valley. Our name was chosen to
complement the translation from Nez Perce Indian dialect for the name
Walla Walla, meaning "running water". Production has slowly
increased to a total of 30,000 cases annually.
