Walla Faces Wines

Sometimes dreams do come true.

Such is the case of Rick and Debbie Johnson, who got married on December 31, 1999 and a month later, honeymooned on the Oregon coast at Manzanita. While walking on the beach, the Johnsons had one of those “What shall we do next in life?” discussions, and the answer they arrived at was growing premium wine grapes. Not right away, mind you. Both of the Johnsons were invested in careers that demanded their full attention — he was in commercial real estate; she, in health care consulting.

It would take five more years before Rick and Debbie stumbled onto vineyard property in Walla Walla that suited their tastes as well as their life’s goals. Once it was found, however, the Johnsons moved from Seattle to their new home — Walla Walla — and never looked back.

Their “home” turns out to be a vineyard estate and luxurious inn east of town. It’s the perfect place for realizing their dream — managing a 10-acre vineyard estate (8.5 acres of premium cabernet sauvignon and syrah under production) and running the elegant guesthouse, complete with outdoor pool. Here, Rick can apply his education and training in viticulture gained from Washington State University’s viticulture program and his extensive coursework at the University of California–Davis. However, now that he’s beyond the textbooks, Rick has real-world difficult decisions that come with the business of growing grapes.

For turning the grapes into fine wine, Rick and Debbie hired Matthew Loso, a legendary Washington winemaker. Walla Faces features a portfolio of delectable riesling, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, and a red blend called “Fusion Red,” and visitors can sample these wines at its downtown Walla Walla tasting room, which includes yet another stunning second guest inn upstairs. Stylish and chic (thanks in large part to Rick’s urban planning and commercial real estate background), the tasting room décor includes walls replete with the celebrated artwork of Rick’s sister, Candice Johnson. Her “Faces” series is a visual representation of the winery’s name and takes center stage on the labels of its wines. As I studied the label, Debbie mentioned that they recently had a clairvoyant in the tasting room giving readings for folks eager to get a sneak peak of their future. Although I am no soothsayer, I can easily see a bright future for the Johnsons in their adopted home.