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ABOUT WALT
Walt has an incredible combination of an amazing and dedicated winemaking team, a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, a passionate winery staff, and strong relationships with extraordinary vineyard partners. I invite you to explore WALT Wines as they speak the voice of the vineyard and demonstrate the talent and devotion of our team.
1000 MILES OF PINOT
We craft WALT wines to naturally and honestly express the character of the vineyard. From Oregon down to Southern California, we source from the most prestigious vineyards along the Pacific Coast. With thoughtful viticulture and careful stewardship of the grapes throughout the winemaking process, we preserve the texture, personality, and soul of our wines.
AT THE WINERY
Our winemaking approach includes optical sorting, gravity feed to tank, native primary yeast fermentation, native malolactic fermentation with batonnage, barrel aging on the lees to create more texture and richness, and bottling wines without the use of fining agents or filtration. Holding true to these methods leaves us no room for error or shortcuts.
We believe the reward is in our complex, expressive, and complete wines. These are wines of bold, approachable character, representing the best vineyard sources in combination with the most precise cellar techniques. Lifes too short for restraint. Enjoy!
IN THE VINEYARD
We are committed to locating the finest pinot noir and chardonnay vineyard sources along the pacific coast, and to make compelling, delicious wines that are honest expressions of their vineyard sites. This requires paying meticulous attention to the influence of terroir. Various soil composition, prevailing weather, and elevation all contribute to the character of our wine. We celebrate the enormous range of varietal expression from appellations running from Oregon's Willamette Valley to the central coast of California. Within these appellations, each vineyard has its own unique story to tell, and we do all we can to allow it to speak through the wine.
Appellations can range from 50 miles to hundreds of miles across a variety of terrains. Within these appellations, our vineyards consist of an array of soil series. Even within each vineyard, there is a range of different soils. These diagrams illustrate the main distinctions of our five appellations from which we source our grapes.
WALT WHOLESALE WINES
We are committed to locating the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyard sources along the Pacific Coast, and to making compelling, delicious wines that are honest expressions of their vineyard sites. This requires paying meticulous attention to the influence of terroir. Various soil composition, prevailing weather, and elevation all contribute to the character of our wine. We celebrate the enormous range of varietal expression from appellations running from Oregon’s Willamette Valley to the Central Coast of California. Within these appellations, each vineyard has its own unique story to tell, and we do all we can to allow it to speak through the wine.
Bob's Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Our Bob’s Ranch Estate Vineyard lies along California State Route 116 between Cotati and Sebastopol in Sonoma County. Vines here are shrouded in morning fog, warmed by bright afternoon sunlight, and buffeted by cool coastal breezes. This climate, in combination with the vineyard’s sandy, well-draining soils, stresses vines into producing Pinot Noir grapes of deeper fruit character.
Bob’s Ranch Pinot Noir, our flagship Pinot, opens with aromas of ripe pomegranate and cherry, and has hints of the complex earthy character that distinguish this terroir. A bright palate showcases pitch-perfect balance between fruit and acidity.
2018 92 Pts Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
2017 93 Pts Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
2017 93 Pts Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator
2016 93 Pts Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
2016 93 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Critic
2015 90 Pts Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
2014 93 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
La Brisa Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The Sonoma Coast appellation Pinot Noir features fruit from several select vineyards, including Gaps Crown, Bob’s Ranch and Calesa. We look to sites with undulating hills and well-draining soils that stress vines and keep berries small for intense varietal expression. Warm afternoons and cool coastal breezes—“La Brisa” (“the breeze” in Spanish)—develop fruit of vibrant, balanced acidity.
2018 91 Pts Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator
2018 93 Pts Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
2017 93 Pts Kim Marcus, Wine Enthusiast
2017 92+ Pts Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
2017 90 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Critic
2016 91 Pts Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
2016 91 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2015 94 Pts Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
2014 93 Pts Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
2013 93 Pts Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
2012 91 Pts Greg Walter, Pinot Report
2012 90 Pts James Laube, Wine Spectator
2011 90 Pts Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar
2010 93 Pts Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast
Clos Pepe Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
The Clos Pepe Vineyard lies on gently sloping hillsides composed of soils of gravel and seabed sediment. Warm inland temperatures funnel in cool fog and maritime winds from the Pacific Ocean, giving this vineyard the chilly conditions in which Pinot Noir thrives. For our WALT Clos Pepe Pinot Noir, we blend two contrasting clones: Dijon from a lower-vigor section for elegance, and Pommard from gravely slopes for structure, richness and dark fruit.
2018 92 Pts Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator
2017 94 Pts Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast
2017 93 Pts Josh Raynolds, Vinous
2017 91 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Critic
2017 94 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2016 94 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Critic
2016 93 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2016 92 Pts Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator
2015 93 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Critic
2015 93 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2015 93 Pts Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
2015 93 Pts Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast
2015 92 Pts Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator
2014 94 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
2014 94 Pts Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast
2014 93 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2014 92 Pts James Laube, Wine Spectator
2014 90 Pts Antonio Galloni, Vinous
2013 91 Pts Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
2013 90 Pts Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
2012 93 Pts Greg Walter, Pinot Report
2012 92 Pts Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast
2012 91 Pts James Laube, Wine Spectator
2012 90 Pts Prince of Pinot, Wine Critic
2011 91 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
2011 91 Pts James Laube, Wine Spectator
2010 92 Pts James Laube, Wine Spectator
2010 92 Pts Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast
2010 90 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
Shea Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
The rolling hillsides of the Shea Vineyard in Willamette Valley are dry farmed and feature well-draining sedimentary seabed soil and an extremely cool coastal climate. This results in wines of unusual elegance, clarity, and depth. Our WALT Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir is markedly different from our California Pinot Noirs—lighter color and structure with firm tannins that extend its aging potential.
2017 92 Pts Tim Fish, Wine Spectator
2017 92 Pts Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast
2017 93 Pts Kim Marcus, Wine Enthusiast
2017 92+ Pts Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
2017 90 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Critic
2016 94 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2015 94 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2015 94 Pts Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast
2015 91 Pts Tim Fish, Wine Spectator
2014 93 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2013 93 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2013 92 Pts James Laube, Wine Spectator
2013 92 Pts HS, Wine Spectator
2012 92 Pts HS, Wine Spectator
2011 91 Pts HS, Wine Spectator
2010 91 Pts HS, Wine Spectator
Blue Jay Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
Anderson Valley is an ideal and rare appellation for growing world-class Pinot Noir. The region’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean, and higher elevations with rugged soils and wide diurnal temperature swings, develop wines of intriguing tension with round, opulent blue fruit character, bright acidity, and firm grip on the palate. Our Blue Jay Pinot Noir sources fruit from The Corners Vineyard with additional fruit from Savoy and Wentzel, varying from vintage to vintage.
2018 93 Pts Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast
2017 92 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2016 92 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2016 90 Pts Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
2016 90 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Critic
2015 92 Pts Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast
2014 93 Pts James Laube, Wine Spectator
2012 93 Pts Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast
2012 92 Pts Greg Walter, Pinot Report
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
This Chardonnay is predominantly sourced from our Bob’s Ranch estate, where Pacific winds sweep over the rolling hills. This cool climate extends the growing season, allowing grapes to develop full varietal flavors balanced by optimal acidity. A wide clonal selection brings nuance to the overall blend, and a small portion of fruit from the Sangiacomo Vineyard enhances the wine’s expression.
2018 92 Pts Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
2018 90 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Critic
2017 92 Pts Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
2016 92 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2015 94 Pts Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
2015 92 Pts James Laube, Wine Spectator
Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Our Sta. Rita Hills appellation Pinot Noir is sourced from three vineyards:
Radian Vineyard, Bentrock Vineyard, and Clos Pepe Estate Vineyard. The predominant vineyard component comes from Radian which is the westernmost site. At 1,000 feet elevation, these vines are exposed to fog and cooling ocean breezes. Bentrock is located on a rolling, north-facing bench. The fruit is slower to ripen creating a longer hang time, which develops concentrated flavors and softer tannins. Clos Pepe is situated in a cool enclave within the appellation. The unique east-west valley allows prevailing winds to flow freely from the Pacific. The wind slows down the ripening process and the sea-bed soils limit vine vigor. All three vineyards are blended to create a beautiful representation of the region.
2018 90 Pts Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator
2017 93 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2017 92 Pts Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator
2016 92 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Critic
2016 91 Pts Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator
2016 92 Pts Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
2015 93 Pts Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast
2015 92 Pts Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
2015 92 Pts Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator
Bob's Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Our Bob’s Ranch Estate Vineyard lies along California State Route 116 between Cotati and Sebastopol in Sonoma County. Vines here are shrouded in morning fog, warmed by bright afternoon sunlight, and buffeted by cool coastal breezes. This climate, in combination with the vineyard’s sandy, well-draining soils, stresses vines into producing Pinot Noir grapes of deeper fruit character. Bob’s Ranch Pinot Noir, our flagship Pinot, opens with aromas of ripe pomegranate and cherry, and has hints of the complex earthy character that distinguish this terroir. A bright palate showcases pitch-perfect balance between fruit and acidity.
2018 92 Pts Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate 2017 93 Pts Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate 2017 93 Pts Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator 2016 93 Pts Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 2016 93 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Critic 2015 90 Pts Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 2014 93 Pts Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
