Sonoma Coast
From Ridge to River
Walala comes from the Kashaya Pomo Indian saying “where the water flows down,” a reference to the local Gualala River and nearby town of Gualala. Perched on a ridge along the California coast, a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard resides in what is often referred to as the “true” Sonoma Coast AVA. View the in-depth vineyard book here.
Location
Walala Vineyard, the most northern site in our vineyard collection, is planted in an isolated and majestic position surrounded by thousands of acres of California redwood forest. Located six miles from the Pacific Ocean, it benefits from a south-facing slope, often sitting above the fog line. Most notable is the diurnal swing in temperature, which allows pinot noir to thrive.
History
Built in 2005 within a redwood forest knoll, Walala Vineyard underwent a transformative journey from bare land to a meticulously planted site. Originally developed amid 19,000 acres of redwoods by the Conservation Fund, it found new stewards in Bill Price and Rob Harris in 2015. Their thoughtful management and environmental commitment continue to harmonize viticulture with conservation, shaping Walala into a testament of coexisting beauty and sustainability.
Terroir
Walala Vineyard boasts Laughlin loam soils as a key component of its terroir. Loam soil, by definition, is a combination of sand, silt, and clay in roughly equal proportions, and the soils at Walala prove to be a prime example. The composition of the Laughlin loam creates an almost ideal equilibrium of water retention and drainage. Vines thrive in this self-regulating stratum that is designed for the cultivation of excellent pinot noir.
Pinot Noir
In the mountains near the remote town of Annapolis, in the far northwestern corner of the Sonoma Coast, lies our Walala vineyard, surrounded by 19,000 acres of Redwood forest. Perched on the hilltop, and exposed to the world, the Pinot Noir that comes off this vineyard is one that showcases the particular vintage like no other. Dark berries and spice, ethereal floral nose with pink peppercorn. Wild like the ground it is grown on.
Stats
AVA: Sonoma Coast, West Sonoma Coast
Elevation: 1160’ – 1190’
Soil: Laughlin Loam
Varietals: Pinot Noir 17.2 acres
Pinot Noir Clones: 777, 828, 113, 115
Acres: 60 total; 17.2 planted
Wine List
- Walala Vineyard Pinot Noir | Sonoma Coast
Our Winemaking
PhilosophyCollection
Shop Our
Heritage
Our Heritage collection of wines hail from the most expansive estate vineyards in our collection. Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Walala are all known for producing rich, complex, deep wines that stand the test of time. From vintage to vintage, these wines surprise and delight.
Shop Heritage
Monopole
Our Monopole collection of wines are rare beauties from our three most precious estate vineyards. Alana, One Sky, and William James yield a collection of the most expressive, intense, and delicious wines in our wine story. These wines are hard to come by and even harder to hold onto.
Shop Monopole
Icon
Meticulously and obsessively handcrafted from the most extraordinary barrels from each vintage across our collection of six estate vineyards. This is a love letter..
Shop Icon
Casteñada
Our Casteñada wines are delicious, field-blended Rhône varietals made to honor the long history of winemaking and growing in Sonoma Valley. Described as a party in a bottle, these wines are full of energy and life while harkening back to another era.
Shop Casteñada
