Chi va piano va sano y va lontano: He who goes slowly goes safely and goes far.
In 1995, Justin Wylie, owner and winemaker of Va Piano Vineyards had an experience that changed his life. The fourth generation Walla Wallan and Gonzaga University student spent his senior year in Florence, Italy studying under the tutelage of artist Bruno Segatta.
After falling in love with the Italian culture and lifestyle, he knew he wanted to return to Walla Walla to make wine, an idea not entirely out of the blue (the success of Wylie’s late cousin, Eric Dunham, had some influence).
“Bruno taught me to really believe in myself. I started to think, I can really do this,” says Wylie. He spent five years in his garage making test lots, resulting in the Vino del Garage and After Midnight wines made for family and friends who told him he was on to something.
In 1999, Wylie was in the right place at the right time when a neighbor offered to sell him a piece of land planted in garbanzo beans and wheat rotation. Wylie took it one step at a time. “Italians are vineyardists first, winemakers second,” he says. “Similarly, I wanted to be a grower first and winemaker second.” After the vineyard was established in the Southside neighborhood of Walla Walla, the Tuscan-inspired winery followed in 2005. The winery is about la famiglia—wife, Liz is part of the operation, and the kids have essentially grown up running around the property.
“At the end of the day, I have a winery that started in a garage with two barrels of wine,” Wylie says, smiling. He looks out to his vineyard, just beyond the picnic area, which has become one of the most popular places to nosh and sip wine. “The future of the Southside? I don’t think we’ve even begun to see what’s going to evolve out here.”
Va Piano 2012 Les Collines Vineyard Syrah, $65
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Nose: Captivating aromas of black fruit, grilled game and pencil shavings.
Taste: Sleek and sophisticated with a smoky mineral edge laden with dark fruit flavors of cassis, blueberry and black cherry. Ultra-smooth tannins and bright uplifting notes grace the long finish.
Va Piano Vineyards 2014 Rosé, $20
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Nose: Pink coral hue in color, this wine has aromatic notes of citrus, honeysuckle and pink grapefruit.
Taste: This Rosé of Cabernet Franc is bone dry with pear, apple skin, wild strawberry, citrus and an edge of salinity. Tangy acidity wraps around the finish.
Website: www.vapianovineyards.com