Beresan Winery
Located about four miles south of Walla Walla, Beresan Winery occupies a lovingly restored 1926 red barn. The barn is a distinctive landmark and one of our favorite stops along Walla Walla WineTrail South. Tom and Debbie Waliser, owners of Beresan Winery, meticulously renovated the old barn to serve the dual purpose of making and tasting wine. When you walk into the barn’s tasting room, at its south end, you are struck by the attention to detail. The barn’s high ceilings, rustic colors, quality woodwork, and turn-of-the-century furnishings create an ambiance that speaks volumes about the Walisers’ passion for making great wine.
By the way, the greeting committee of tail-wagging, friendly dogs is composed of strays that have found a home at Beresan Winery. They are just a few members of the menagerie of animals at this former horse farm, as you will discover.
Tom Waliser is a quintessential “wine grower.” He manages his own 20-plus acres of estate vineyards—Yellow Jacket Vineyard, Beresan Estate Vineyard, and Waliser Vineyard—the source for Beresan Winery’s estate wines. He’s also the vineyard manager for some of the region’s most prestigious vineyards, including Pepper Bridge Vineyard, Seven Hills West, Candy Mountain Vineyard (love that name) and Mirage Vineyard. Evidently, farming is in Tom’s genes. The Waliser family history includes many generations of farmers whose origins go back to the Beresan area of the Ukraine. Eventually, these farmers made their way to Walla Walla, where the family’s farming expertise continues.
However, growing premium wine grapes is one thing. Converting the fruit to fine wine is another. For this, Tom turned to another Tom—Tom Glase, who also makes wine under his own wine label, Balboa. Together, the two Toms collaborate from vineyard to bottle to produce a portfolio of predominantly red estate wines, including syrah, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, carménère, and several red blends. Among the red blends is a 50/50 blend of merlot and cabernet franc bearing the name of “Viuda Negra” (Spanish for “black widow”). WineTrail note: Make a point of asking Debbie about the story behind the name “Viuda Negra.” To date, we know of no plans to create a wine with the name “Tom Squared,” but it would be fitting given the two Toms’ critically acclaimed achievements. Regardless of the name, all Beresan wines reflect the intense flavors and character of its estate vineyards.
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Beresan Winery was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Walla Walla WineTrail South on page 514!
