Walla Walla Vintners

Founded in 1995, Walla Walla Vintners was the eighth winery in the Walla Walla appellation. Many others have followed their lead and today, there are at least 120. Yet, Walla Walla maintains a stellar reputation as one of the best. In 2017, wine aficionados Scott and Nici Haladay decided to leave their careers in IT and nursing and they purchased the historic winery in southeastern Washington, adjacent to the Oregon border.

The estate’s winemaker, Derrek Vipond, holds degrees from two respected enology and viticulture programs. After following harvests around the world, he returned to Walla Walla and joined the Haladays in 2019. His goal to craft finely made, elegant wines aligns perfectly with the vision of Scott and Nici.

The winery’s Cut Bank Estate Vineyard is a LIVE Certified sustainably-farmed vineyard. The certification outlines best practices for environmentally and socially responsible wine growing in the Northwest.

The vineyard sits at 1467 ft. along the Mill Creek Valley in the shadow of the picturesque Blue Mountains. It’s a relatively high elevation, with cooler temperatures and gentle breezes. With its southwest exposure ensuring abundant sunshine, Cut Bank benefits from the slow, even ripening that promotes steady sugar accumulation and retains natural acidity.

The vineyard’s Walla Walla Silt Loam soil receives 22″ rainfall annually, mostly during winter. This precipitation allows for dry farming and suits their commitment to sustainability throughout the winemaking process.