2008 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year
By Andy Perdue
Photos by Jackie Johnston
Wine Press Northwest chose Dunham Cellars for the 2008 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year. A panel of industry judges select the winery based on a set of criteria, including longevity, quality, reputation, industry involvement, facilities and other considerations.  A winery may win the award only once.

When Eric Dunham was just a kid, his dad would dress him up in a tuxedo and have him help a couple of local Walla Walla winemakers at events. Back then, there were only a couple of Walla Walla wineries: Leonetti Cellars and Woodward Canyon. Talk about inspiration. "They let me taste some of the wines," Dunham admitted with a sly grin. "I started asking questions. I've wanted to make wine since I was 10." said Dunham, co-owner and winemaker of Dunham Cellars, our 2008 Pacific Norwest Winery of the Year.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, Dunham...

Wine Press Northwest - Winter 2007
2004 Syrah, Columbia Valley

This should be no surprise to anyone who has followed the career of winemaker Eric Dunham. This is the third time in our eight best-of-the-best competitions that a Dunham Syrah as earned a Platinum--with two of them being unanimous Double Platinum’s. The grapes come from Dunham's favorite source, Lewis Vineyard in Washington's Rattlesnake Hills. The resulting wine reveals aromas of ripe plum, leather, chocolate, cola and a trace of dried herbs, followed by elegant, complex flavors of dark fruit and black pepper with beautiful balance. This has a bit of oak showing, but it's carried off with charm.

WINES OF THE WEEK
Published October 11, 2007
by Chuck Hill

Dunham Cellars
2005 Merlot Lewis Vineyard - Columbia Valley
$75.00

When Eric Dunham started working with Lewis Vineyard, he certainly couldn't have believed how important the site would become to Dunham Cellars. I barrel tasted with Eric through some of the first Lewis Vineyard Syrah and his excitement was palpable. Other varietals followed as the vineyard has matured and this Merlot is a blockbuster. It is graced with a label featuring one of Eric's paintings which makes it even better. Look for complex aromas of minty black cherry, berry, anise, cedar and floral notes. The palate is bursting with fruit and needs a few years to marry completely. http://www.winesnw.com/chuckhill_winesofweek.htm

Union Bulletin, April 24, 2007

Dunham 2006 Four Legged White, $20. This companion wine to Dunham's popular Three Legged Red showcases a different dog and different grapes. Though the bottle is labeled simply as white, it is actually a Lewis Vineyard Riesling, with a splash of Chardonnay in the blend. Succulent with sweet fruit, buoyed by fresh acids, it's a fine springtime sipper.

Fall 2006

2003 Syrah, Columbia Valley $45
Eric Dunham gained a cult following in the 90's for his Cabernet Sauvignons. Yet his skills with Syrah are what catch most of our attention. His efforts with the noble grape of the northern Rhone consistently rise to the top of our judgings, so much so that it's bigger news when they aren't there. This is his mainstream effort, and it's a dandy, thanks to complex aromas of blackberries, chocolate, oak, mint and an intriguing floral note. On the palate are dense, intense flavors that reveal no flaws. Said one judge: "This is the kind of Syrah I like to drink." --1,570 cases

Fall 2006

2003 Lewis Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley $75
Winemaker Eric Dunham has been using grapes from this 8-year-old vineyard near Rattlesnake Ridge as long as he's been making Syrah, and his results are consistently stunning. This highly allocated offering reveals stylish aromas of candied cherries, sweet pipe tobacco, spices and hints of coffee, followed by full-bodied flavors of black cherries, dried currants and chocolate overtones. --297 cases

October 2006 Issue

2005 Lewis Estate Shirley Mays Chardonnay (Columbia Valley); $35
Soft and buttery, this is thickly flavored with caramel, traces of pineapple, and loads of rich, tropical fruit.  It's big, delicious, spicy, round and full, and it resonates nicely if you give it a little chill before pouring, to sharpen up the acids. Distinctive and appealing, as are all Dunham wines.

April 2006 Issue

2002 Lewis Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley); $75
From the winery's favorite vineyard, this limited (242 cases) production, 100% Cabernet is inky black, dense and tannic. Tight layers show many different berries, black cherry, pomegranate and mint. The tannins are ripe and firm, with black tea and graphite flavors. Very fine effort, big but not showy, nor is it a palate-fatiguing high alcohol fruit bomb. Great fruit from a top vineyard, handle with extreme care and sensitivity. Decant this.

February 2006 Issue

2002 Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon VIII
Dunham's profound 2002 bottling offers more proof that Cabernets from Washington State's Columbia Valley can challenge the best of Napa at half the price.  It's exotic and seductive, full of spiced cherry flavors outlined by black mint.