Press

 

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Review from Quarterly Review of Wines
The Online Magazine

2010 WALT, Griffin’s Lair, Sonoma Coast,  Rich, black fruit, raspberry, with chocolate notes. Engaging! 92 points
Click here to review full article

 

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Four WALT Wines earn 90+ Point Ratings by Wine Spectator!

In their inaugural release, four WALT Wines earned top ratings from Wine Spectator's James Laube. Many of our wines are crafted in extremely limited quantities. We invite you to join our wine club to ensure your access to all of our top rated wines. Join today by calling Jessica at (707) 933.4440.

2010 WALT "The Corners" Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
92 Points: "Attractive floral, ripe plum, blueberry and blackberry aromas are complex on the palate. Fleshy on entry, this firms midpalate on, ending with ripe tannins and a mahogany edge that gives the flavors traction. Drink now through 2020." -James Laube

2010 WALT "Clos Pepe" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
92 Points: "Aromas of ripe plum, raspberry and blueberry turn dry and savory, rich and structured, ending with a mix of dry, earthy tannins and extracted berry flavors. Drink now through 2020.-James Laube"

2010 WALT "Dutton Ranch" Braughton Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
90 Points: "Rich and creamy, with layers of ripe fig, honeydew melon, creamy oak and subtle earth notes that are pure, focused and persistent. Drink now through 2018." -James Laube

2010 WALT "Rita's Crown" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
90 Points: "Weaves together a mix of dried berry, spice, cedar, black licorice and loamy earth flavors, gaining depth and dimension on the long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2020." -James Laube

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“New Pinots from a Gal Named Walt” –An Article from James Laube, Wine Spectator, March 16, 2012

“Wine labels may fade, but they rarely disappear. Most find new owners or reinvent themselves, to wit: Sonoma's Roessler is gone; enter Walt. Walt is Kathryn Hall's new lineup of Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. It's a reincarnation of sorts of the former Roessler operation. She and her husband, Craig, bought Roessler in 2010. Walt is Hall's maiden name, as well as a childhood nickname.

Walt is the Halls' ambitious entry into the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sweepstakes. Under the winemaking direction of Steve Leveque, who also makes the Kathryn Hall Napa Valley wines, Walt has 10 new wines, all from 2010. Most of them are Pinots made in the 200- to 300-case range, and all but one are from California.

The Halls' new endeavor is just one of several fresh rebranding efforts emphasizing single-vineyard wines in California.” –James Laube, Wine Spectator
Click here to view the full article on James Laube’s Blog.

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Press Release

Napa Valley, CA, Kathryn Hall has announced the 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.