Figgins Family Leonetti Cellar Merlot 2023

"Many of you know that Leonetti Cellar was founded by my parents, Gary and Nancy Figgins, in 1977 as Walla Walla’s first commercial winery. What is far less understood is that the presence of our family in Walla Walla spans over a century long into the deep silt loam of this valley. My father was incredibly fortunate to know his grandparents, Francesco and Rosa Leonetti, quite well. I grew up making weekend trips the short distance down the old dirt road to the Leonetti farm they established in 1906. This is the same site where, with a few cuttings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling, my father would come to plant his first commercial vineyard in 1974 and unknowingly establish an entire industry for our valley. Building off the inspiration he gleaned from his grandfather’s bubbling fermentations on the farm’s dirt floor basement, the only logical thing to do to honor his family’s roots would be to name the winery Leonetti Cellar. Through these experiences I acquired a certain perspective and reverence for our family heritage that guides me to this day." - Chris Figgins, Winemaker