I have recently been pondering the words of the great Spanish poet, Antonio Machado, and particularly this excerpt: “Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar”. My favorite translation (of which there are several) reads; “Pathmaker, there is no path, you make the path by walking”. The further we move into our Devium project, the clearer it becomes that we have moved into a realm with no guidebooks, no guardrails, and no established path. So come along with us as we delve deeper into the outer fringes of Washington wine and make our own path as we go. Welcome to the 2023 Devium spring release.
The Wines:
While we continue to push the boundaries further and further with each release, I feel like the wines continue to find themselves more and more. Here you will find wines that excite, wines that question, wines that occasionally surprise, but you will also find comforting and familiar themes, most of all, you will find a set of delicious, thoughtful wines, that are meant to be shared with a good meal and companionship.
2022 Lewis Peak Vineyard Pet Nat (Rouge):
For the last two years, this wine has been my January release, however, with the late 2022 vintage, it just wasn't ready in time. Malbec and Riesling co-picked, foot tread together and pressed off a couple of days later. Like the 2022 Riesling Pet Nat, this harkens back to the 2020 more than the 2021, more of a dark rosé or a light red, this is just bursting with flamboyance and charm. If I had to describe this wine in one word, it would simply be "joy". Chill this down, drink it for any and all occasions, or no occasion at all, it's really up to you, but just make sure you slow down for a moment and enjoy a glass.
2022 Breezy Slope Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé
Shortly before harvest, when discussing the Pinot Noir from Breezy Slope, Shelley asked me: "Why can't you just make this one thing easier on yourself and make a rosé?". As "White Pinot Noir" was never a passion of mine, of course she was right. As a rosé, the Breezy Slope Pinot Noir translates even more vitality and joy than it ever did as a direct pressed wine. It looks like an early spring sunrise and drinks like a sunshine filled walk in the woods followed by a dip in a cold river. Foot tread, rested for 24 hours, then pressed off into old barrels, this rosé was bottled last month with a small addition of sulfur for stability.
2022 Les Collines Vineyard White Wine
A brand-new vineyard and wine for Devium. Equal parts Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Viognier, this was direct pressed into old barrels and allowed to ferment before being bottled with minimal sulfur added last month. Just as you thought that every wine I make has to be little off kilter, here comes the Les Collines White to prove otherwise. Achingly pure, bursting with energy, and imbued with an essence of delicate white flowers, this wine actually brought a woman to tears during Taste WA. Les Collines has for years been one of the finest sites in Washington despite the farming; since 2018 the farming matches the quality of the site, nearly organic, and with lots of regenerative practices in place to increase the soil health and decrease the irrigation requirements, Brad Sorensen is doing some incredible work in the foothills.
2021 French Creek Vineyard Red Wine
The return of the French Creek Red after sitting out the 2020 vintage. North slope Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache Blanc co-picked and co-fermented. From the warm, generous, 2021 vintage, this wine is as friendly and open as any I have made to date. Roast a chicken, maybe a green salad, a little mustard, some fresh bread, and drink this wine. I can't think of a better early spring dinner when the nights are still chilly but the awakening of the earth beckons you towards fresher fare.
Finally, we have the first ever "Devium Club Exclusive":
2022 Lewis Peak Vineyard Riesling Pet Nat (Direct press) - Devium Club Exclusive
Unlike the skin contact 2021 Riesling Pet Nat that I released in January, this 2022 vintage is more akin to the 2020 vintage. Those of you who had the 2020 vintage know just how special this wine is. Dry, fresh, electric as only Lewis Peak can be, this wine is just a delight. Lewis Peak continues to inspire me every time I am up there, 3000' feet, dry farmed, practicing organic, impossibly small yields from an impossible place, perfectly suited to everything that Devium stands for and aspires to be. This wine was direct pressed into old barrels, fermented with no additions and bottled with no sulfites added.
This last wine is available only to club members, we have a few spots remaining, sign up here if you would like to purchase some of the Riesling.
Case orders will receive a 10% case discount (20% for club members), so mix and match as you please. Shipping orders will begin shipping out the week of 3/27. Please let me know if you have any questions, or if you need anything at all! You can always contact me at 541-310-0317, or keith@deviumwine.com.
Also, if you are planning to visit Walla Walla for the following weekends, please make your appointments as soon as possible:
Cayuse/Walla Walla Spring Kick-off - April 7th & 8th
Walla Walla Spring Release Weekend - May 5th & 6th
You can make appointments for these dates, or any other time you would like to visit, by emailing, calling or texting me. keith@deviumwine.com, 541-310-0317.