Coccinelle Bis Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley, 100% Syrah
A short story from Ben: This wine, certainly one of the most unique and intriguing wines we’ve ever made, came about as the result of the 2023 Auction of Washington Wine when we were named Honorary Winemakers. The Auction asked us to create a unique bottling for their Private Barrel Auction – always a tall task due to the high standard set by collaborations that occur between wineries and vineyards not normally associated with each other. I called Christophe Baron of Cayuse winery and vineyards. I’ve never done a Walla Walla Syrah, much less a Syrah from the incredible rocks of Christophe’s vineyards. He has not sold fruit for years. The only way to experience his fruit is by tasting his wines. So when I asked if I could purchase a ton of Syrah he said no. ‘But,’ said Christophe, ‘I’ll give you a ton of Syrah with this stipulation: all the profits must go to charity, mostly to the Walla Walla Food Bank.’ What a brilliant, thoughtful idea. The Coccinelle Bis Vineyard fruit arrived at the winery in pristine condition after a 260-mile journey, fermented beautifully and went into three neutral barrels for 11 months. We bottled 70 cases in August of this year. Upon tasting it is completely evident there is nowhere else on the planet this could come from other than Christophe’s rocks vineyards. We have stayed true to terroir and given the wine a deft, elegant Cadence touch as well. This is a showstopper, and for a great cause. We could not be happier with this collaboration – thank you Christophe!
A short story from Ben:
This wine, certainly one of the most unique and intriguing wines we’ve ever made, came about as the result of the 2023 Auction of Washington Wine when we were named Honorary Winemakers. The Auction asked us to create a unique bottling for their Private Barrel Auction – always a tall task due to the high standard set by collaborations that occur between wineries and vineyards not normally associated with each other. I called Christophe Baron of Cayuse winery and vineyards. I’ve never done a Walla Walla Syrah, much less a Syrah from the incredible rocks of Christophe’s vineyards. He has not sold fruit for years. The only way to experience his fruit is by tasting his wines.
So when I asked if I could purchase a ton of Syrah he said no.
‘But,’ said Christophe, ‘I’ll give you a ton of Syrah with this stipulation: all the profits must go to charity, mostly to the Walla Walla Food Bank.’ What a brilliant, thoughtful idea. The Coccinelle Bis Vineyard fruit arrived at the winery in pristine condition after a 260-mile journey, fermented beautifully and went into three neutral barrels for 11 months. We bottled 70 cases in August of this year. Upon tasting it is completely evident there is nowhere else on the planet this could come from other than Christophe’s rocks vineyards. We have stayed true to terroir and given the wine a deft, elegant Cadence touch as well. This is a showstopper, and for a great cause. We could not be happier with this collaboration – thank you Christophe!
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On orders of one case or more shipping qualifies for $10 flat fee ground shipping!
Orders of $500 or more receive a 12% discount.
Orders of $300 or more receive a 7% discount.
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