Born out of a passion for the Walla Walla Valley, Bledsoe Family Winery was founded two years ago by former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe and his wife, Maura. After his retirement from the NFL in 2007, Drew and his wife returned to his hometown of Walla Walla and planted their first vineyard, McQueen. Over the next ten years, they established and developed three more Walla Walla estate vineyards and recruited winemaking talent Josh McDaniels to produce Bledsoe Family Winery, the sister project to Doubleback Winery.
Drew points out that Bledsoe Family Winery wines often reference the Bledsoe family’s rich history in the Pacific Northwest. Josh McDaniels, president and winemaking director of both Bledsoe Family Winery and Doubleback, also grew up in Walla Walla. At a young age he fell in love with wine and began learning the craft of fine winemaking at Leonetti Cellar.
The downtown tasting room is located at 229 E Main Street in Walla Walla, situated on the corner of Main Street and Palouse near Whitman College. Visit the website for more info at www.bledsoefamilywinery.com
Below are two releases we recently reviewed:
Bledsoe Family Winery 2016 Flying B Cabernet Sauvignon, $48
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Reveals rich and saturated flavors that showcase blue plum, red berries and plump currants alongside complex bits of tar, leather and iron. Distinctive and expressive, with silky tannins that ride through the long structured finish, this red wine is worthy of cellaring.
Bledsoe Family Winery 2018 Healy Rosé, $32
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Aged in vessels ranging from French oak, Italian concrete and stainless steel tanks, this shows sophistication and finesse. Beautifully structured, with satiny flavors of strawberry, spring flowers, pear and peach laced with citrusy notes of tangerine peel and leesy spice that lingers on the crisp aftertaste.