2017 Latta Wines ''Dana Dibble'' Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

This dark wine composed of 97% Syrah, 3% Viognier is sourced from Freewater Rocks Vineyard that Andrew has worked with for over a decade.

Freewater Rocks vineyard is located in the Rocks District of Walla Walla. Planted in 2000 in the core of Freewater Cobbly Loam, this is an OG vineyard site with four generations of fruit farming behind it. The wine carries "Dana Dibble" for the man who grew up on the dirt, the third generation farmer who transformed these hardscrabble orchards into the manicured rows of vines standing among the stones today. Dana and Andrew have collaborated on many vintages and vineyard projects over the years and Andrew felt his work deserved recognition, hence the "Dana Dibble".

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Latta Wines puts uncommon varietals from the most unique vineyards in Washington State on center stage. Years of scouring the geologically diverse soils of Eastern Washington led to an initial release of two very special wines, then four and so on. The extremely small production, mostly Rhone offerings are put forward from sustainable vineyard sites after fermentation with native yeast and aging in mostly neutral french barrique and puncheon.

Latta Wines was founded in 2011 by winemaker and owner Andrew Latta. It is the product of years of sweat equity, a gamut from cellar hand to winemaker at a Washington winery of note. Andrew is now proud to share his personal wines. He was born and raised in Kentucky and the restaurant world was his path to wine. A similar trajectory up from the basement as a busser to a Sommelier working in Thailand exposed him to the wines of world. While developing award-winning wine programs, Washington State stood out among all the emerging and traditional wine-growing regions. So, sight unseen, fifteen years ago he jumped into his first harvest in Walla Walla and year after year Washington still delivers.