Glencorrie

As in life, finding the right balance in wine is the goal of all great winemakers; moderation is a good thing. Exceptional wines embody qualities of moderation: not too flabby, but not too sour either; just the right amount of oak; a fruit-forward taste on the front end and a long-lasting finish, perhaps with a lingering spice note (love that). All of these characteristics and more define a good, balanced wine. Such a wine can be rather elusive, but when found, it strikes a harmonious chord.

One evening in 2004, before they started Glencorrie winery, brothers Ronn and Dean Coldiron were having dinner in Spokane, and the Walla Walla merlot they ordered just so happened to perfectly complement their meat dish. The flawless pairing and their subsequent “aha” moment gave definition to the wine style they were seeking: food-friendly wine to match a beef dish or a meal with rich sauces. We’re talking opulent reds with layered flavors, tannins for structure, and strong acidity. At the time, the brothers, who were living in the Bay Area, knew they wanted to act on their love of wine and open a winery, but deciding upon a wine style provided them with the compass they needed, and it directed them to Walla Walla to establish their vineyard and winery.

It was a stroke of luck when 13 acres of prime real estate became available west of Walla Walla along old Highway 12. The choice acreage is south-facing, with excellent air drainage and the ideal soil for planting food-friendly Bordeaux varieties. The brothers contracted with family-owned, well-established vineyards in the Columbia Valley for their fruit (and continue to do so while waiting for their own vineyard to mature). Armed with the best fruit, they then secured the services of Charlie Hoppes, the owner and winemaker of renowned Fidelitas Wines. Intentionally keeping production small — at only 650 cases — the brothers succeeded in hitting a home run with their initial release. In December 2009, Wine Press Northwest awarded the 2006 Glencorrie Cabernet Sauvignon a Double Platinum award, stating, “It's a beautifully balanced wine that should age gracefully for a decade or more.” That’s an auspicious beginning, and it doesn’t hurt that Ronn has a Ph.D. in geology and brother Dean’s background is in finance. Like peas and carrots, peanut butter and jelly, the two complement one another.