Ash Hollow is about family, friends, food, fun and great wine. Ash Hollow is also about roots and place, and that place is Walla Walla, Washington. From the estate vineyards to the boutique winery to the quaint downtown Walla Walla tasting room, there is a certain something in Walla Walla that can't be defined by logic or science — that special sense of warmth and camaraderie that is unmistakably woven into the Ash Hollow experience.

Given that his parents met while attending the University of Southern California, John Turner was raised on USC family friends and football. After graduating in 1988 with a B.S. in public administration, John became a Los Angeles police officer. He later used his USC education to specialize in administrative, criminal and civil areas of the law as it related to the representation of law enforcement officers. Although it was a rewarding career, John’s passion for great wine, coupled with his yearning to return to his family roots, eventually won out.

John remembers registering for classes before his first semester as a freshman and getting so excited that he walked out of the gym and over to the Tommy Trojan statue with his high school buddy, Steve Clifton (now Ash Hollow’s consulting winemaker and winery partner).  Together, each posing like the statue, they had their picture taken as an expression of their “excitement about the four years to come.”

“The years didn't disappoint,” John continues. “In fact, they were better than anticipated.  I still have and cherish that picture today. Fight On, USC!!”

2005 Terassa, Walla Walla Valley Estate Reserve
Winemaker Notes: Terassa loosely translates as “the wonderment of a miracle,” which is exactly what this 2005 vintage brings to mind! The skilled vineyard crew handpicked the finest fruit from both of the estate vineyards to help create this classic Bordeaux blend. The Malbec base provides a dark, rich color and texture, while the Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure and ageability. Merlot is blended in for balance and a little Cabernet Franc helps maximize a nice, lengthy finish.

Lush blackberries, earth, rose petals and a toffee toastiness are just some of the aromas that greet the nose. Silky dark fruits, lavender and dried figs party along the palate and make way for smooth smoky layers of tobacco, dark chocolate and, to finish, just a hint of crème brûlée. Oh, yeah!

2005 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley Estate
Winemaker Notes: All 100% Merlot from the Ash Hollow Vineyard, the grapes for this wine came from three different blocks. Hand harvesting took place between September 9 and October 8, 2005. All lots were fermented separately and barrel aged in 80% French Oak and 20% American Oak for 18 months. Eighteen barrels were “cherry-picked” from the Merlot lots to produce this special wine.

Bordeaux in style, our 2005 Estate Merlot is less jammy yet more structured than might be expected.  Layers of beautiful bright cherry notes are folded nicely with a velvety hint of black currant.  The mouth feel is big and luscious; a slight hint of creamy vanilla and nicely balanced tannins give this supple wine a luxurious lingering finish.  Try with some good dark chocolate.  Mmm!

Cecily Rutz practically grew up in the winery business. In 1992 — nine years before she graduated from USC with a degree in international relations — her father Keith established the family’s Russian River winery. Drawing inspiration from the Burgundy winemakers whose Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs he loves, Keith Rutz first dug a cave deep in the Russian River Valley. This cool, humid cavern – the 95% humidity is a result of a high water table and clay soil – is where all of the Rutz’s wines are made and aged. Unlike the glamorous cellars of Napa, which look like they could host swank, black-tie dinner parties, Rutz’s cave is all about the wine. It’s somehow appropriate that Rutz pronounces his name “roots.” The wines are made the old-fashioned way, with minimal handling. The humidity reduces evaporation, so the barrels don’t have to be topped off as frequently; as a result, there’s less exposure to oxygen.

One of Cecily’s fondest campus memories was attending the 2000 USC-UCLA football game with her roommates. After eight years of losing to UCLA, the Trojans defeated the Bruins. Cecily and her roommates joined the crowd rushing onto the field in victory. As she recalled, “It was so much fun and everyone had so much Trojan Spirit!”

2005 Russian River Cuvée Chardonnay
Winemaker Notes: This 100% barrel fermented Chardonnay was aged sur lie, and the lees were stirred every two weeks into late winter and early spring to develop complexity and richness. Smooth, rich and creamy on the palate, this young Chardonnay offers a full array of flavors including pear, apple, pineapple, guava, and a hint of spice. Keeps its fruity focus through the finish, while light oak adds a nice touch.

2005 Sonoma Cuvée Pinot Noir
Winemaker Notes: The 2005 Rutz Cellars Sonoma Cuvée Pinot Noir is a wine that represents all of the winemaking philosophy and flavor profile that Rutz Cellars is known for. It is ruby red in color and carries aromas of floral herbs, fig and black cherry. Herb-laced black cherry, currant, plum and raspberry flavors that hold their focus on the finish.

2005 French Cuvée Pinot Noir
Winemaker Notes: Since its inception, Rutz Cellars has prided itself on its true Burgundian-style winemaking process. The winery has always attempted to emulate the earthiness and attention to terroir that characterizes French Pinot Noir. Given the popularity of Pinot Noir, and the scarcity of California fruit, Rutz Cellars has selected a French wine to expand its product line and compliment its Sonoma Cuvee. The 2005 Rutz Cellars French Cuvée comes from the Vin De Pays D’Oc appellation of France — an area that is undergoing a renaissance in winemaking techniques and quality. Aged in French oak, the wine was brought to the USA in bulk for additional barrel aging in the Rutz Cellars caves. Medium-bodied, earthy and flavorful, this wine shows why French Pinot Noir has always been the standard that others try to follow.

A solid nose of black cherry and berry is tinged with notes of tea, spice and clove. Medium-bodied and richly textured in the mouth, this wine brings layered flavors of cola, clove, cedar and chocolate to accompany its earthy black and red fruit flavors. It closes stylishly with a ripe, softly tannic finish.