We recently met Echolands Winery’s impressive CEO Doug Frost, and decided right then and there that we’d soon stop by the newly opened 27,000-square-foot production facility, Echolands Estate, in the heart of the Blue Mountains in Walla Walla. And that’s just what we did. Doug is one of only three people in the world to hold both titles of Master of Wine and Master Sommelier. In addition, he’s hilarious, with a giant personality. Of course, we also wanted to see incredible Winemaker and General Manager Brian Rudin, whom we knew from his successful time at Canvasback. We sat down with Brian and his marketing guru, Stephanie Forrer, to learn more about the gorgeous estate and taste through some outstanding Echolands wines.

Echolands Story

CEO Doug Frost and Co-owner, Chairman and Conservationist Brad Bergman launched Echolands Winery in 2018. The previous year, they purchased Taggart Estate Vineyard within the SeVein Vineyard Project located in nearby Oregon. The team spent two years creating a living biome underneath the soil. Then, in 2019, they planted 25 acres of vines. The remaining 25 acres are mainly devoted to biodiversity. They also recently opened Echolands Estate Vineyard.

In addition to Winemaker and General Manager Brian Rudin, another familiar name on Echolands’ talented team is the amazing Sadie Drury, the manager of Taggart Estate Vineyard. Further, Nick Mackay manages Echolands Estate Vineyard. They are growing different clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.

Echolands’ mission is reflected in their name. “We aim to echo what the land generously gives to us by promoting environmental stewardship and biodiversity in everything we do.”

Sustainability

Echolands’ sustainability practices not only encompass vineyard and land management, biodiversity, plus water, soil and energy renewal, but also eco-conscious building and packaging design. Taggart is one of the first Washington state vineyards to receive the “Sustainable WA” certification. They also will seek this designation with their new Echolands Estate Vineyard.

According to Brian, “When the opportunity to work with Doug Frost and Brad Bergman at Echolands became clear, it was impossible to resist the pull of their vision. With the prospect of high-elevation wine growing, regenerative viticulture, and a commitment to sustainability in the vineyard and winery, I felt ready for the challenges.”

Tasting Room

Echolands Estate is a state-of-the-art production facility, vineyards, tasting room and visitors center. It’s the highest-elevation winery in Walla Walla, with sweeping views of the Blue Mountains. In addition to a beautiful, expansive, light and airy tasting room that feels like an atrium, you can find small seating areas to taste wine and enjoy the vineyard scenery. Hospitality Director Jenna Bicknell, whom we met earlier with Doug, ensures that excellent service is also a hallmark of the guest experience. The staff is warm, friendly and knowledgeable. During our visit, Brian told us he is still pinching himself that “this is all real and not a dream.”

Echolands Wine

Echolands’ motto is “Like the creature of mythology known as Echo, we can only express what is given to us.”  As a result, Brian said they established a style of moderate alcohols and higher acidity, made possible by planting in higher, cooler sites. Their goal is “fresher, brighter, low-alcohol wines as well as  age-worthy, structured wines.” In Brian’s words, “elegant and a little nervy.”

We tasted six wines, showcasing the new labels depicting the topography of the land. They ranged from a Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon to a Syrah.

Of note, Brian’s initial vintage is 2023. His predecessor Taylor Oswald crafted earlier vintages.

Echolands Rosé 2023 ($28-$30)

Echolands offers two rosés, which are both beautiful. One is 100% Grenache Rosé ($28) from Blue Mountain Vineyard, where the grapes are grown exclusively for rosé production. The grapes were picked far earlier than most “to preserve acidity and keep flavors fresh and bright.” The Grenache was aged in stainless steel tanks. What a pretty rosé, featuring strawberries and spices, threaded with tangy citrus notes. Note: This wine sold out quickly, so keep your eyes open for the next vintage.

Cabernet Franc Rosé Taggart Estate Vineyard ($30) is 100% Cab Franc that features flavors of strawberries, cantaloupe and watermelon. Doug Frost said, “Brian told me he wanted to barrel ferment a Cabernet Franc Rosé and I said sure, but I honestly wasn’t sure how it would end up. It turns out that used barrels provide texture not bitterness or spice, and the wine gains complexity from Brian’s ideas and craft.”

Albus 2023 ($38)

Albus 2023 combines Sauvignon Blanc (76%) and Sémillon (24%) from Taggart Estate Vineyard. What a wonderful sip of summer, with aromas of citrus and grass that echo the crisp palate, along with salinity and bracing acidity. Albus, which means white in Latin, is Echolands’ first estate wine from Taggart Vineyard and their first white wine. We brought home a bottle, and paired it with freshly caught crab, in season where we live. What a treat. It was mouth-watering delicious, with citrus flavors dancing on the palate.

Echolands Reds ($38-$45)

Next, we tasted three reds: Cinsault Walla Walla Valley 2023 ($38), Cabernet Franc Blue Mountain Vineyard 2021 ($45), and Syrah Les Collines Vineyard 2020 ($42).

Cinsault is a fun, chillable red wine, comprising Cinsault (90%), Grenache (7%) and Syrah (3%). Chillable reds became a trend in Washington a few years ago, and this wine is a great example of why. It’s soft, seductive, racy, and a bit lighter in body than Pinot Noir. CInsault is traditionally a blending grape, but this one is delicious enough to stand on its own. Brian said the color is one step above rosé but it is a red wine that’s ready to go.

Brian also told us that this Cabernet Franc started out as a potential blending wine, “but then it demanded its own bottle.” And one sip shows its structure, elegance and finesse. Three years after vintage, this Cab Franc features lots of herbs, blue and red fruits, and savory notes. But it is not heavy on plum flavors like so many others. Taylor Oswald made this rich, red wine, blending 3% Merlot with the Cab Franc. It is reflective of the terroir of Blue Mountain Vineyard, one of the coolest sites in the Walla Walla Valley.

Meanwhile, Taylor also produced 2020 Syrah Les Collines Vineyard which Brian called “a labor of love.” Taylor fermented whole-cluster Syrah with 2% Viognier, which was then foot-stomped in small, open-top steel bins. This vibrant Syrah (12.8% alcohol) offers aromas and flavors of blue fruits, olives, black pepper, roasted meats, and other savory notes. Brian mentioned that fruit from the stonier areas of the Walla Walla Valley supplemented grapes from Echolands’ block of Les Collines Vineyard.

Summary

In conclusion, we recommend you visit Echolands Estate whenever you’re in Walla Walla. The tasting room and the views entice, and the wines encourage you to come back.

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Cheers!
Margot and Dave