Forgeron Cellars
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Forgeron Cellars is located in the middle of the city of Walla Walla, Washington. Directly across the street is a free city parking lot, making the Forgeron Cellars easy to visit. Forgeron Cellars wines can be enjoyed now or cellared.
Forgeron Cellars is an urban winery in Walla Walla. The word forgeron means blacksmith shop. The winery is located in a building that was once a blacksmith shop and then an electrical supply store. The owners of Forgeron Cellars renovated the building and it now has a comfortable tasting room with the winery and barrel room directly behind. The organization of the winery makes it convenient to produce wine. Occasionally the barrel room is decorated and used for special events.
The tasting room has a brick-style wall. In the corner a fireplace adds even more ambiance. The floor is of slate and the tasting counter is copper. Wine accessories are available.
The winemaker and part owner, Marie-Eve Gilla grew up in France and studied in Burgundy. In the early 1990’s, she interned at Hogue and then at Argyle. The owners of Forgeron Cellars recruited Marie. The goal for Marie when producing wine is to craft wines that can last, although they can be enjoyed now. She also wants the vineyard to show off in the bottled wine with the wines being fruit forward. All wines are filtered.
The oak barrels in the barrel rooms are stacked four high. Eleven stainless steel tanks are located in the tank room. Crush takes place outside under a covered area.
Forgeron Cellars sources grapes from several vineyards all within the Columbia Valley AVA. Currently the winery produces 5,000 cases annually.
White Wines
Chardonnay 2007 was a light yellow. There were pear nuances with apple hints on the aroma. The taste had pear and apple notes with oak hints. The finish was fruity with a touch of wood on the aftertaste. This wine was fermented in neutral oak sur lei. The grapes for the Chardonnay were sourced from seven Washington vineyards and one Oregon vineyard. Marsanne 2009 Boushey Vineyard Yakima Valley was a very pale yellow. The aroma offered floral and tropical nuances. The taste also had floral and tropical nuances like a fruit salad. The finish was crisp and fruity. Walldette non-vintage was a blend of Chardonnay, Rousanne and Orange Muscat. The wine was very pale yellow and had a floral aroma especially orange blossom. The taste offered citrus with orange blossom notes. The crisp finish was fruity.
Red Wines
Vinfinity 2003 was a dark red produced with a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The wine offered black fruit nuances. The fruity finish had mild tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 was made with Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Malbec. This dark red wine had blackberries on the aroma and taste. The finish was fruity with tannins. Syrah 2005 was a dark purple with earthy and spice notes on the aroma. There were dark fruit with a hint of smoke nuances on the taste. The wine finish was fruity with tannins. Zinfandel 2006 was a dark red purple. The blackberries and spice nuances on the aroma had notes of cloves and cherries. The taste was very fruity with blackberry, blueberry and cherry notes. The finish had mild tannins with fruit nuances yielding to spice.
Events at the winery include wine education classes. Special events also include the Spring Release Brunch.
While visiting Walla Walla, be sure to schedule time to stop at Forgeron Cellars for a wine tasting. Watch the Forgeron Cellars website for upcoming events.
Forgeron Cellars
33 West Birch
Walla Walla, Washington 99362
GPS: N46º 03.835’ W118º 20.298’
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