4.19.2007

Bottling day for Otis Kenyon Wine's 2005 vintage... more

4.1.2007

Dreux Dillingham named assistant winemaker for Otis Kenyon Wine... more

3.24.2007

Wendy Kaufman of NPR concludes 3-day visit with Otis Kenyon Wine... more

3.23.2007

Final blending trials for Otis Kenyon's 2005 vintage... more

3.22.2007

First pruning at Stellar Vineyard... more

2.17.2007

Muriel Kenyon to lead Otis Kenyon Wine sales effort... more

BOTTLING DAY FOR OTIS KENYON WINE'S 2005 VINTAGE

Otis Kenyon's 2005 wine has been on oak long enough to add complexity, but not so long as to overpower the fruit. It's time to bottle. On April 19th and 20th we expect to bottle approximately 500 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon, 500 cases of Merlot, 300 cases of Syrah and 300 cases of Matchless Red Wine, a blend of 100% Wall Walla Valley fruit. We will also bottle 90 cases of Reserve Merlot from the Seven Hills Vineyard.

DREUX DILLINGHAM NAMED ASSISTANT WINEMAKER FOR OTIS KENYON WINE

Otis Kenyon Wine is pleased to announce that Dreux Dillingham has become our assistant winemaker. In June Dreux will complete a two-year course at the Institute for Enology and Viticulture in Walla Walla. He has considerable hands-on experience in winemaking, and has worked closely with our winemaker, Dave Stephenson, in crafting the 2005 and 2006 Otis Kenyon wines. Dreux has also managed the retail wine department at Merchants, Ltd, in Walla Walla, and currently manages the Nume Vineyard.

WENDY KAUFMAN OF NPR CONCLUDES 3-DAY VISIT WITH OTIS KENYON WINE

Wendy Kaufman of National Public Radio spent three days with Otis Kenyon owners, Steve Kenyon and Deborah Dunbar, and our winemaker, Dave Stephenson. Wendy was fascinated by all aspects of winemaking, from vineyard management to racking to blending and bottling. She concluded that winemaking was less romantic than many imagine. Her story on "All Things Considered" aired on
April 19, 2007. Click here to hear Wendy's feature.

FINAL BLENDING TRIALS FOR OTIS KENYON'S 2005 VINTAGE

The Otis Kenyon 2005 varietals come from several specific vineyard blocks at Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and other premium Wall Walla vineyards. Some wine has aged in French oak, some in American oak, and some in neutral oak barrels (over three years old). Proper blending of these different wines to create our style and flavor profiles is an art and a science. We were extraordinarily pleased with our results: outstanding varietal blends of Cab, Merlot, Syrah and a Reserve Merlot exclusively from Seven Hills, as well as a terrific red wine we call Matchless.

FIRST PRUNING AT STELLAR VINEYARD

Otis Kenyon Wine and Stephenson Cellars purchased Stellar Vineyard in the fall of 2006. Stellar is a well-known vineyard in the Walla Wall Valley AVA that has produced fruit for several distinguished wines. Working with vineyard foreman, Luis Meza, Steve and Dave will manage every aspect of the vineyard to ensure the production of the best possible Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

MURIEL KENYON TO LEAD OTIS KENYON
WINE SALES EFFORT

Muriel Kenyon, daughter of owners Steve Kenyon and Deborah Dunbar, will join Otis Kenyon Wine on June 1, 2007, and will have principal responsibility for wine sales. Muriel is a familiar figure on the Walla Walla wine scene, having worked for the last two years at well known wineries. With the release of 1700 cases of wine this fall, Muriel will be the face of Otis Kenyon Wine for many of our customers.