Walla Walla '09 Holiday Barrel Tasting
Dusted Valley Vintners has roots in Wisconsin
Date: 12/06/2009
Dusted Valley was one of the wineries we visited during the recent Holiday Barrel Tasting in Walla Walla. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves, including one couple that came all the way from Texas.
Dusted Valley co-owners and winemakers, Corey Braunel & Chad Johnson, have roots in the Badger state, Wisconsin, that seem to work it's way into their winery. They often refer to themselves as "Cheese Heads".
They have begun a unique barrel project with the use of extra-tight-grained Wisconsin white oak harvested from logs on and near family lands where they grew up. The tight grain is due to the short growing season in this northern part of the US, and closely represents the grain found in the famous French oak. These barrels are used in their estate barrel program for the Dusted Valley Premium wines.
They also use an image of a skeleton riding a Harley for the large format, etched, and hand painted Stained Tooth Society Syrah, in honor of the Harley Davidson being founded in Wisconsin. Corey says it gives it that bad boy edge.
Way to go Cheese Heads!
