We are pleased to share with you our seasonal newsletters.
Summer 2019
In the sunny calm of summer, we are filled with optimism and reflection—this year marks the 10th anniversary of our journey to “Pursue the Possible!” In early May, the barrel tasting of all four Cabernet Sauvignon clones (15, 30, 169, and 685) from our steep Mt. Veeder Estate demonstrated their great promise. We will continue to barrel taste each quarter to follow the development of this highly anticipated wine. Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown declared the inaugural harvest of the Pulido~Walker Estate one of the best across his projects.
Our vineyards are thriving as excitement builds towards the inaugural release of the 2018 Pulido~Walker Estate single vineyard designate wines. Until then, we wish you and your family a wonderful summer with sun overhead and a glass in hand!
Upcoming 2016 Pulido~Walker Release from Melanson Vineyard
Jeb Dunnuck characterizes the 2016 Pulido~Walker 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the higher-elevation site of Melanson Vineyard on Pritchard Hill as “a rocking bouquet of chocolaty black and blue fruits, truffle, charcoal embers, and earthy nuances. This full-bodied beauty has a ripe, layered, seamless texture and is perfectly balanced. It’s another gem from the genius of Thomas Rivers Brown.” 98 points JebDunnuck.com, January 2019
Thomas Rivers Brown, adds, “The 2016 Pulido~Walker Melanson Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is beautifully site driven. Akin to the 2013 vintage, there is plenty of tannin and crushed rock to mark this as a Pritchard Hill wine, although not excessively so, thanks to a buffering acidity similar to what we saw in the 2014 vintage. As with that vintage, the 2016 tastes unmistakably like the Melanson Vineyard: liquid minerals, white flowers, plenty of dark fruit. The structural characteristics married to the deep black fruits, savory notes, and dried herb qualities we’ve come to expect from this site make this a rounded, complete wine. That completeness will surely be the trademark of this extraordinary 2016 Napa Valley vintage—the best of a superb run of five vintages from 2012 to 2016.”
We celebrate the release of this acclaimed vintage of Pulido~Walker Cabernet Sauvignon from the Melanson Vineyard in August. Shipments will begin in October, weather permitting.
Pulido~Walker Team Grows
The Pulido~Walker team expands with the addition of two highly regarded hospitality professionals.
Austin Gallion, National Sales Director
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“My excitement for Pulido~Walker began with this sole focus: creating wines to compete on a global stage. My attraction to join the team was Mark and Donna’s philosophy: ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.’ Every decision has a laser focus to produce the best wines possible.”
Austin’s first interest in wine derived from his experience as a classically trained chef. Austin has a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts with a minor in food writing from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. After an externship in Perigord, France, his love for wine drew him to Napa Valley where he was the executive sous chef at Michelin Star restaurants in the valley for five years. He then worked for three years at Miner Family Winery, learning the wine business, and afterward moving to Vineyard 29 for nine years as the director of hospitality. Austin’s hobbies are focused on cooking for friends and family, collecting wine, and traveling to global wine destinations.
Julia Wildt, Hospitality Director
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“Donna and Mark’s passionate commitment to crafting the finest single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon possible has become an inspiration to discerning wine lovers. Being asked to join them on this journey is such an honor. I relish the opportunity to help share their story and their wines with our enduring advocates and new friends alike.”
As a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Level 3 Certification holder in wine from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, Julia has truly followed her passion for wine throughout her career. A Las Vegas native, Julia made her mark as a sommelier for Guy Savoy and the MGM Grand after receiving a bachelor’s degree in culinary management from the former Cordon Bleu Culinary School. In 2008, Julia realized her dream of working in Napa Valley. Working for Thomas Keller Restaurant Group at both The French Laundry and Ad Hoc prepared her to take the helm as director of hospitality for various wineries throughout the valley—most notably Vineyard 7 & 8 and Harlan Estate Winery. Julia adores her three children, cooking, and the outdoors, and tries to keep up with her husband on their frequent mountain bike rides.
Mount Veeder Estate: New Farming Equipment
Josh Clark, Clark Vineyard Management, continues to drive excellence in viticultural practices on our Mt. Veeder Estate with new state-of-the-art equipment. The addition of a new Spider Mower allows us to mow early in spring without compacting the soil as its ground pressure is much less than that of a conventional tractor and reduces hand work.
The new mower works well on the steep Estate slopes and only requires one operator, so skilled vineyard workers can stay focused on critical vine work instead of being strapped to weed eaters. Early season mowing in the vineyard and late season mowing outside the vineyard has been made easier for sure and even fun!
Mark and Donna were interviewed by the Japanese airline ANA for its inflight magazine. Curated by Nakagawa Fine Wines, their Japanese importer.
Continuing to Learn at Home and Abroad
As we continue our patient journey to “Pursue the Possible,” we enter our 10th year achieving success, yet with so much more to learn. Our points of view are developed with visits to other wine regions, including Rioja and Burgundy, to study farming and winemaking practices. Back in the Valley, we participated in the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) educational program on organic winegrowing, visiting several wineries that farm organically and observing leading practices.
Donna and Mark in Burgundy
Donna and Mark visiting the Rioja wine region in Spain. The Frank Gehry designed hotel behind the Marqués de Riscal Vineyard.
Thank you for your support as we continue to “Pursue the Possible.”