Walla Walla Valley

Isenhower Cellars was founded in 1999 by Denise and Brett Isenhower and was the 18th winery in Walla Walla. Denise is the General Manager and Brett is the Winemaker. Brett researched every state in the Western USA and chose Washington because of the wide-open, entrepreneurial nature of the wine business. They started Isenhower Cellars in the prettiest town in Eastern Washington, Walla Walla. Isenhower Cellars is one of the few medium sized Washington wineries that is 100% husband and wife owned and operated.

The Isenhower’s built their winery in 2002 and opened the Woodinville tasting room in 2009. Currently Isenhower Cellars produces 7,500 cases a year.

United States

Washington

Isenhower Cellars

Barbera

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Sauvignon

Grenache

Malbec

Marsanne

Merlot

Mourvèdre

Petit Verdot

Pinot Gris

Pinot Noir

Roussanne

Syrah

Viognier

Rara Avis (rare bird in latin) is 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre from Olsen Ranch Vineyard.  

Rara Avis Grenache

i-Label Malbec

i-Label Cabernet Sauvignon

i-Label Cabernet Franc

Merlot Blend

The Wild Thyme is a Merlot majority Bordeaux style Red Blend from Wallula Vineyard.

Wild Thyme Bordeaux Style Blend

White

We make Roussanne because we like it, it is enjoyable with Asian cuisine, and there is already enough Chardonnay in the world! We made our first Roussanne in 2002 - back then it was very unusual. Over the years we have experimented with different vineyards and styles of winemaking.

100% Mourvèdre!  We love to showcase this relatively rare Washington State grape especially when sourced from Wallula Vineyard which is one of the best sites for this unique grape.

Wallula Vineyard Mourvedre

In 2014 we asked Wallula Vineyard to plant 2.5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Goldilocks region of the vineyard: not too hot, not to cold, …  2017 is our first and limited bottling from our block. 

Wallula Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

À Bloc is a cycling term that means "to go all out, even beyond the point of recovery" (do not forget the diacritical mark above the À, it sounds like "ahhh"). It is also a metaphor for the winemaking at Isenhower Cellars.

A Bloc Malbec

Fortified

We combined brandy made from our own Cabernet Sauvignon with the ripest Petit Verdot grapes from Dionysus Vineyard. The result is a 20th Anniversary Port that will be delicious for 20 years!

Petit Verdot Port

Red Blend

The 2018 Last Straw is 28% Cabernet Franc, 27% Malbec, 21% Syrah, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 1% Barbera. This wine is fresh, delicious and a real treat to drink.

Last Straw

100% Petit Verdot from Dionysus Vineyard. Petit Verdot is a relatively rare Bordeaux variety - the grapes tend to ripen late and have blistering acidity, and most wineries use Petit Verdot for blending. There are few 100% Petit Verdot wines because it takes a terrific vineyard to ripen the Petit Verdot properly.

Jongleur

Prima Fuga Barbera

Le Cadeau Vineyard Pinot Noir

Carousel Syrah

Sparkling

We love sparkling wines but have made a vow not to make a chardonnay (there is enough chardonnay in the world).  Therefore, following our experimental bent, we started making a sparkling Roussanne in 2012 from Olsen Ranch Vineyard and have continued since. 

Tiny little bubbles make for a lovely mousse.  The first aromas out of the glass include yeasty notes, lemon, tangerine, and mango rind with hints of toasted bread and creme brûlée. The mouthfeel is very fresh and fruity with just a touch of yeasty, creamy texture.  Lots of tropical fruits do the samba with the lovely little buttles from the Méthode Champenoise.  There is brilliant acidity and texture in the mid-palate.

Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Roussanne Extra Brut

The Batchelor's Button Cabernet Sauvignon is a big, classically styled Walla Walla Cabernet but is fresh and light on its feet.

Bachelor's Button

The Road Less Traveled is 100% Cabernet Franc that has an increasing quantity of Clone 214 Franc which leans less herbal and more blue fruits and sea salt flavors.  It pairs nicely with grilled pork chops, barbecue, turkey, and root vegetables. 

Road Less Traveled Cabernet Franc

Rosé

The Vin Gris is Pinot Gris from Tudor Vineyard that's soaked on the skins for three days to extract color and flavor.  The Vin Gris is a totally unique, dry, and flavorful Rose.

Vin Gris

Lovely Viognier from a seven acre vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. The Viognier is limpid yellow with a hint of green hue.  The aromas are of tangerine, apricot, peach, creamy roasted marshmallow, and a verve from the Acacia puncheons.  The flavors mirror the complex aromas with ntoes of tangerine, stone fruits, beautiful acidity, and the beguiling Acacia tension. 

Walla Walla Valley

Isenhower Cellars

A brief history

Isenhower Cellars Wines

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