Rôtie Spring 2026
State of the Union

A Season of Reflection

As we step into a new season, we’ve been reflecting on the year behind us – time spent in the vineyard, long days in the cellar, and the quiet satisfaction of watching wines take shape. These moments reinforce why we remain committed to a thoughtful, hands-on approach, year after year.

The realities of today’s wine industry are ever-present, but they don’t define how we move forward. Our focus continues to be the vineyards we farm, the wines we make, and the community that supports them. In the months ahead, we’re looking forward to opening our doors more often and sharing these wines with you in both Walla Walla and Seattle.

Vineyards

This winter has been mild, with limited moisture and snowfall. While that’s not ideal for the snowpack, it’s still early in the season. The vines have been winter pruned and are now in a waiting period—giving us time to stay patient and let Mother Nature do her thing. We’re hopeful that spring arrives smoothly, without any late-March cold snaps. 

January 2024 brought an early and intense freeze, keeping our wind machines running for a full week straight. Having a solid relationship with our propane supplier proved critical if you want your wind machine to work; after January 11th, there wasn’t propane to be found within a 300-mile radius. Normally, we only run the machines just before sunrise, but during this cold snap, temperatures dropped around 11pm and stayed low until 9am the next day. Thankfully, there was snow on the ground, which helped once the air was circulated, and many of the vines were insulated beneath it.

After that stressful stretch, we avoided any further extreme cold. Bud break came late, nearly a month behind schedule in late April, but patience paid off. A warm summer allowed the vines to catch up beautifully, and that delayed bud break is a big reason we’re seeing such lovely acidity in the wines. The Syrah and Grenache from the Rocks District, along with Mourvèdre from Wallula, are shaping up to be the standouts this year.

A “Boring” Season (The Best Kind)

Compared to 2024, the 2025 growing season was boring; and that’s exactly how I like it. Bud break came at a normal pace in early April, we saw a small heat spike in June, and otherwise enjoyed average temperatures right around 82 degrees throughout the season. Calm, steady conditions like these are ideal.

The result is wines full of clarity and expression. The Whites and Rosés in particular are incredibly aromatic—you’ll smell them the moment you pop the cork!

Gathering Around the Table 

As the season unfolds, we look forward to spending more time together. Please be sure to check out our Events Page on the website to RSVP for upcoming tastings, gatherings, and special experiences. This page is where we’ll be posting all future events, so we encourage you to check back often.

I’m grateful for our crew, for the vineyards, for the resilience of the season, and most of all for the community that continues to support and believe in what we do. We can’t wait to share what’s ahead with you.

Respect,