The owners of Wallula Gap Vineyard approached John with the exciting opportunity to plant and source Chenin Blanc from a new vineyard block planted with Clone 982, a certified French clone prized for producing high quality, elegant wines with terroir-driven, concentrated flavors of honey, lemon peel, and delicate stonefruit. John also found inspiration with Chenin Blanc while traveling through South Africa where Chenin Blanc retains acidity and shows a refreshing minerality.

The 2025 Barrel-Aged Chenin Blanc was crafted from a blend of individual French oak barrel fermentations. Barrel fermenting and aging creates a palette of distinctive wines, each possessing unique merits. Blended together, the barrels showcase all the best qualities of Chenin Blanc grown in the Horse Heaven Hills high above the Columbia River. The soft lemon and honey flavors pair well with cuisine that is both savory and sweet such as teriyaki chicken, pork tenderloin and spicy sesame noodles.