The Vineyard
Spring Valley Vineyard is situated 12 miles northeast of Walla Walla. Spread amid the picturesque wheat fields of southeastern Washington with the Blue Mountains providing the backdrop, the terroir demonstrates a mesoclimate that is ideally suited for growing wine grapes. The unique microclimate of Spring Valley also allows the grapes to develop their own distinct characteristics.

Initially, a 2 acre block of Merlot was planted in 1993 and placed on a south-southwest facing hillside. The vines follow the north-south slope of the hills in vertical rows. This orientation, coupled with the declination of slope, allow the vines optimal use of the sunshine, drainage, and the reflective nature of the surrounding hills.

Great care is taken when caring for the vineyard. Under Gaynor's direction, every grape is tended to by hand, including crop thinning, leaf pulling, and harvesting, not to mention hand burying individual canes to protect them from the cold, hard winters of southeast Washington.

In its present state, Spring Valley Vineyard consists of 40 acres of grapevines including 18 acres of Merlot, 8 acres of Cabernet Franc, 7 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 acres of Syrah, 2 acres of Petit Verdot, and 1 acre of Malbec.

The Winery
In 1995, Walla Walla area winemakers began using Spring Valley Vineyard grapes for their select wines. By 1998 the wine that was being produced from these grapes proved to be of very high quality. Dean and Shari took notice and after much discussion decided to open the winery and produce Estate bottle wines beginning with the 1999 vintage.

The driving goal of the winery is to produce unparalleled wines of the highest quality that will please the palate now and cellar for many years to come.

The Winemaker
A native of France, Serge Laville brings a background of chemistry and biology to Spring Valley. He had been studying wine with Marie Laure Slyvestre for almost ten years when he decided to become a wine tourist in the United States. In 2000, with camera and backpack, he set out on a journey that eventually brought him to Walla Walla and a chance meeting with Devin Derby who invited him to the ranch.

When Devin died in 2004, Serge quietly tended the wines despite his own grief in the loss of a close friend. We leaned on Serge so much and he never let us down. Serge wanted to stay with us and continue the legacy of Devin and Spring Valley Vineyard, and we couldn't be happier.
Click Here for Serge's Full Bio