Woodward Canyon Winery

Located off Highway 12 in Lowden is the 1870s farmhouse that serves as Woodward Canyon’s primary tasting room. Next to this charming room is the new Reserve House, built for private tastings and special events. If you get a chance to experience the Reserve House, do so. It’s lovely, especially when owner Rick Small is pouring and sharing his zeal. In fact, the Reserve House definitely makes my top 10 list of winemaker-dinner venues.

Started in 1981 by Rick and his wife, Darcey Fugman-Small, Woodward Canyon is among the group of original wineries that served as the “starter dough” for the whole Walla Walla Valley wine industry. Rick honed his self-taught winemaking skills in the mid-’70s by collaborating with Gary Figgins, who would go on to create famed Leonetti Cellar. Rick believes that “intensity is key,” and he is passionate about Woodward Canyon’s vineyard, spending a great deal of time there as well as working with select vineyards in Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills and, of course, Walla Walla Valley. His philosophy remains the same: quality over quantity, and the numerous awards throughout the years speak volumes about Woodward Canyon’s success.

Woodward Canyon’s winemaker, Kevin Mott, produces about 15,000 cases annually. Its premium wines include cabernet sauvignon, merlot, Bordeaux blends, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and riesling. In addition, Woodward Canyon diverges from Bordeaux-only wines, to make dolcetto and barbera wines as well. You don’t need to store these wines in the cellar; enjoy them today with Italian food or red meat dishes, including your everyday backyard-grilled burger. Woodward Canyon also makes a second “declassified” label wine called Nelms Road, known for its excellent value.

Each year since 1992, Woodward Canyon has selected an original artwork to adorn the label of its top-quality cabernet sauvignon. That year’s original vintage painting hangs in the tasting room through the year. Also found in the tasting room is the full line-up of the artist series of vintage wine bottles, with their distinctive labels. As noted on the winery website, the great French painter Paul Cézanne, in a letter written later in his life, asked, “Is art a kind of priesthood where only the most pure of heart are allowed to enter?” At Woodward Canyon, art is for everyone. For WineTrail enthusiasts visiting this winery, art can be seen on a canvas and tasted from a bottle.

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  Order the book!

  Woodward Canyon Winery was featured in WineTrails of Walla Walla as part of the Walla Walla WineTrail West on page 418!

• 

  Order the book!

  Woodward Canyon Winery was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Walla Walla WineTrail West on page 418!