Foundry Vineyards

Imagine a “creative blending of fine wine and contemporary art” and you have Foundry Vineyards, or FV for short. It’s true. At Foundry Vineyards, art takes many forms, from bronze sculpture and colorful glasswork to estate wines. Even the labels on the bottles reflect modern art, as exemplified on FV’s 2006 Artisan Blend label, featuring Deborah Butterfield’s horse-inspired sculpture (see Appendix B, “Decoding a Walla Walla Wine Label”).

Located a short drive west of downtown, FV’s tasting room is Northwest contemporary in style, designed with lots of glass, steel, and concrete — a perfect space for showcasing the art within. The style also lends the room a sense of airiness and light. Here, visitors sampling Foundry Vineyard wines can’t help but pause in their sipping and gawk. Works of art hang on the wall or rest handsomely on pedestals. Of particular note are FV co-owner Squire Broel’s works, which include imaginative paintings and sculpture (also celebrated on the Artisan Blend label, for the 2007 vintage). As you taste and gaze, you are reminded that art takes many forms, be it in bronze, on a canvas — or from the fruit of the vine. As Robert Mondavi stated in Harvest of Joy, “Making good wine is a skill. Fine wine is an art.”

The brainchild of Walla Walla native Mark Anderson, Foundry Vineyards relies on grapes from the valley, including the fruit of his own 3.5-acre estate Stonemarker Vineyard, to produce premium wine. Mark and Squire’s goal is to produce small lots of wine using traditional means, and to focus on a few select wines. This isn’t the Baskin-Robbins of wineries, with 31 flavors to sample. I discovered a manageable sampling of their many-layered cabernet sauvignon, a Bordeaux blend called “Fire Red” (was it the Malbec that gave it some spice notes?), and a white blend of chardonnay and viognier possessing just the right acidity. Mark makes fabulous wines, but then, it seems that all his projects turn into works of art.

If Mark or Squire happens to be at Foundry Vineyard, your visit just got a big upgrade. Both are exceptionally friendly as well as knowledgeable about art history and culture as it relates to the valley and beyond. As you’ll discover, FV’s partners are eclectic, creative, and always striving for artistic expression. Who needs the Guggenheim after a pour of FV’s delectable art?