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The 2022 growing season got off to a late start, with bud break occurring around mid-April. Both April and May were marked by cooler temperatures and steady rainfall, setting the season on course for one of the lowest Growing Degree Days (GDD) ever recorded. Fortunately, July and August brought warmer, sunnier weather, helping GDD levels return closer to the long-term average. The warm trend continued well into September and October, allowing the grapes to ripen at an ideal pace for harvest. We began picking Merlot on October 10th, and the season wrapped up with our final harvest of Carménère on November 3rd.
The new year started fast in the cellar. With the 2024 vintage tucked away, we’ve been focused on getting everything in place for bottling – glass, labels, and all the details that bring a wine from barrel to bottle. We’re gearing up to release both 2022 and 2023 vintage wines, and while all three new releases are wonderful, I’m especially excited for you to try the first Bordeaux variety from our 2023 vintage, the 2023 McClellan Estate Malbec. Blackberry and plum explode from the glass, showing the richness and depth of this vineyard. This wine is vibrant, structured, and a strong start to the vintage.
As we look ahead, Yvonne has been busy finalizing our 2025 event schedule, and we hope you’ll make plans to visit. Whether you’re testing your palate at our Blind Tasting at Seven Hills, indulging in a decadent Wine Magic & Melted Bliss Raclette experience, or joining us for the always lively Spring Release Weekend, there’s something for everyone. More details on these events can be found below. We hope to see you soon!
Bobby Richards
2022 Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
$65 Retail
Walla Walla Valley
Seven Hills Winery Founding Vineyard was the first significant Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot planting in Walla Walla Valley. This land has historical importance in the founding of Seven Hills Winery but also for its leading vision of shaping the region’s viticulture. These original vines have produced highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for over three decades and continue to do so today. This outstanding Cab is 100% sourced from the winery’s original estate founding Cabernet Sauvignon blocks planted by the McClellan family in the early 1980s. Two thousand twenty-two marks our 35th vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from these historic vines.
This old vine Cabernet has a dark garnet color with aromatics of blackberry reduction, black raspberries, leather and hints of freshly cut vanilla bean and wet earth. The palate presents a medium-plus-bodied wine framed by firm tannins that last from start to finish. Flavors of Marionberries, black cherry pie and leather combine with hints of dried tobacco leaves, green peppercorns and bramble.
Enjoy now after an hour of decanting or cellar 4-10 years before opening. Pair this wine with a Grilled Tomahawk, Braised Short ribs, aged gouda, or Portobello Steak au Poivre.
2022 McClellan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
$60 Retail
Walla Walla Valley
McClellan Estate Vineyard lies at the southern edge of the Walla Walla Valley,adjacent to the founding blocks of our Seven Hills Winery estate vineyard. This vineyard was established by the McClellan family in 2003, employing varietals, clones, trellising systems, and vineyard practices most ideally suited to this specific site. Following more than thirty years of working the land in this region of Walla Walla Valley and nearly two decades of farming this site, we see its uniqueness as expressed in this vineyard-designate bottling.
100% Cabernet from McClellan Estate Vineyard. Open top fermented, aged in 50% new French 225L barrels for 22 months.
This wine boasts a deep garnet hue, drawing you in with bold aromas of boysenberry, fig, and cigar box, layered with hints of blackstrap molasses and freshly roasted espresso beans. Its lush texture unfolds into a full-bodied experience, supported by firm tannins and rich flavors of Black Forest cake, red currants, and plum compote. Subtle notes of white peppercorn and mulling spice add depth, all balanced by a medium acidity. Affectionately dubbed “Goth Cab” by our Tasting Room Manager Yvonne, this wine is perfect for fireside sipping on chilly nights. Enjoy within 3–7 years of the vintage, though it will continue to evolve beautifully for a decade or more. For a perfect pairing, try it with smoked brisket, crispy duck breast with black cherry sauce, or zucchini boats stuffed with lentil-walnut tomato sauce.
2023 Malbec McClellan Estate
$55 Retail
Walla Walla Valley
Seven Hills Winery has been working with Bordeaux varietals for over 30+ years and bottles all six varietals showcasing each variety’s unique nuances. We have been producing Malbec for more than fifteen years and were the first winery to do so in the Walla Walla Valley. We believe that the valley’s southern edge is one of the rare places in the world where Malbec reaches its full potential, with sufficient heat for ripening coupled with cool nights to preserve aromatics and structure. Our Malbec is harvested on multiple dates to ensure we deliver a well-balanced and complex wine. We picked the first batch of grapes on September 8th, then again on September 23rd. 100% Malbec from fan-trained vines at McClellan Estate Vineyard. Open top fermented, aged in 25% new 500L Hungarian oak puncheon for 16 months.
The deep fuchsia color catches your eye as it enters the glass. Aromas of blackberry and plum explode from the glass with underlying notes of cardamom, grains of paradise and fresh lavender. While the aromas lead your thoughts down a path of spiced berry cobbler, your palate is engulfed by juicy texture and velvety flavors of red and black plums and marionberry, unlaying flavors of sweet tobacco and sweet tarts, all wrapped around medium tannins and medium acidity.
Whether you’re a seasoned Raclette lover or discovering its magic for the first time, this will be an evening to savor!
We have a full calendar of events planned for 2025. Check back for more details on the dates below.
May
May 3-4: Spring Release Weekend
May 3: Pig Roast and Toast
May 11: Sip Rosé and Build a Bouquet
June
June 22: Bordeaux Class Focused on Pentad
July
July 13: Elevation Cab Sauv
August
August 17: Harvest Hike & Picnic in the Vineyards
September
September 13: Harvest Party
November
November 1: Pentad Dinner
November 1&2: Fall Release Weekend
November 16: Rhone Class Focused on Defiant
December
December 7: Cheese and Wine Pairing/Tasting Class
For more information or to reorder these wines:
Please contact us at INFO@SEVENHILLSWINERY.COM or 509-593-6226