Rich Funk, owner and winemaker of Saviah Cellars is a case of re-invention. A microbiology and chemistry major from Montana State University, this Big Sky Country native was originally more interested in fermenting grains than grapes: Rich and his wife, Anita, had their sights set on starting a microbrewery. Instead, the Funks moved to Walla Walla in 1991, where he worked as an environmental health specialist. What he couldn’t have predicted, in an area that had only a handful of wineries at the time, was that he would be considered a pioneer, particularly in the neighborhood known as the Southside of Walla Walla.
While working at the Health Department, dealing with water quality and wastewater issues, Funk got to know vineyards, and he forged relationships with winemakers, becoming an enology and viticulture sponge. His story is inextricably bound to his love of terroir, and his talk of soil constitution rolls easily off his tongue.
In 2000, Rich and Anita founded Saviah Cellars, a family name from Anita’s great-grandmother. Funk built a relationship with renowned grape grower and vineyard manager, Leonard Brown. “When the Brown’s hired me in 2005 to help them with Watermill Winery, it was like I had won the viticultural lottery,” says Funk. His friendship with Brown gave Funk access to coveted fruit. It was Brown that made it possible for Funk to secure premium estate vineyards for top-notch wines.
Saviah Cellars 2011 The Stones Speak Syrah, $55
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
An exciting perennial Syrah from Funk Estate Vineyard in the The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. Made with free run juice the wine was aged for 17 months in French oak barrels. An absolute stunner!
Nose: Savory dark fruit and a mix of olive, game, graphite and
fresh garden herbs.
Taste: Velvety smooth and open-textured with an evocative edge of iron minerality to the restrained dark plum and blackberry fruit, tempered with floral violet, olive tapenade, cured meat, tarry earth and salinity.
Saviah Cellars 2011 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Franc, $30
Editor’s Choice – Excellent
Sourced from a trio of vineyards—Seven Hills, Summit View and Bacchus Vineyard—this Cabernet Franc benefitted from the cooler than normal vintage that showcases the lush fruit components.
Nose: Enticing dark fruit, freshly turned earth, cocoa powder and a whiff of exotic cinnamon and sage.
Taste: Supple, classy and balanced, showing streamlined flavors of blackberry, raspberry and pomegranate complemented with mocha, tobacco leaf, savory herbs and spice notes.
Website: www.saviahcellars.com