One of our most extreme sites, Walala’s remarkable character stems from its 1,200 feet of elevation and the precise farming of the Price Family Vineyards team. Its close proximity to the Pacific Ocean allows for long hang time and balanced acidity, while the elevation gives the vines ample sunlight in which to fully and slowly ripen. When we first tasted 2017 samples out of barrel, we just looked at each other and grinned as we marveled at the alluring tropical notes, depth of character, and textbook Sojourn mouthfeel.
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Wine Enthusiast
"This wine is lovely in aromatics of rose water and rose petal, with a spicy peppercorn element on the opening palate. Leather, forest and dark cherry fruit highlight a moderate amount of weight and richness, boosted by lively persistent acidity." - Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
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PinotFile
"Moderate garnet color in the glass. The aromas arrive instantly and persist in the glass, including dark red cherry and berry and fertile earth. As typical with this vineyard, the wine sports a bold core of succulent black raspberry and plummy fruit. There is an appealing earthiness as well and the oak is well integrated. The tannins are reserved, making for easy up front drinking." - Rusty Gaffney, PinotFile
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International Wine Report
"The 2017 ‘Walala Vineyard’ Pinot Noir by Sojourn is a downright gorgeous effort. The Walala Vineyard is located in the Sonoma Coast AVA and is set only a few miles from the Pacific Ocean as the maritime influence is quite prominent in the vineyard. Teaberry, Yakima cherry and cran-pomegranate aromas fill the glass. The palate shows a ripe texture and a silky mouthfeel that delights. Red fruits like pomegranate, guava and red cherry seem to dominate, with lighter cola and peat moss tones that round out the palate. Downright delicious now, this will continue to evolve well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2030." - Dr. Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"The 2017 Pinot Noir Walala Vineyard has a pale ruby color and a nose of lilac, blueberries and Earl Grey tea leaves plus scents of blackberries, rhubarb, cola, dried leaves and underbrush with spicy hints from its maturation in 50% new French oak. The palate is light to medium-bodied with a good interplay of fruits, spices and earth. It has a grainy frame and mouthwatering acidity on the long, nuanced finish." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Walala Vineyard
West Sonoma Coast
The Walala Vineyard is perched along a ridge 1,200 feet above sea level, just inland from the rugged Sonoma coastline. In its position above the dense fog line, the vineyard experiences the moderate temperatures that give grapes longer hang times for optimal flavor and ripeness.