Celebrating Washington Wine Month: Long Shadows' Legacy in Washington Wine
Photo above, back row: Allen Shoup, Dane Narbaitz. Front row: John Duval, Randy Dunn, Gilles Nicault
March marks Washington Wine Month, a time when we celebrate the wineries, vineyards, and people that have transformed our state into one of the world's premier wine regions. At Long Shadows Vintners, our story is deeply intertwined with the evolution of Washington's wine industry from a hidden gem to international acclaim.
A Visionary's Legacy
In 2002, after 17 years as CEO of Chateau Ste. Michelle, Allen Shoup founded Long Shadows with a bold concept: gather the world's most celebrated winemakers to craft Washington wines, combining each winemaker’s unique style with fruit from Washtington’s wide spectrum of vineyard sites. This vision wasn't just about making great wine, it was about showcasing the potential of Washington wines.
Allen often spoke of the importance he placed on building the Columbia Valley's international reputation as a premier growing region. He was passionately committed to elevating Washington wines' global standing throughout his career, dating back to his arrival at Chateau Ste. Michelle in 1980, when Washington wines were largely unknown. Long Shadows is a continuation of his lifelong commitment to that mission.
A Winemaker’s Opportunity
Over 30 years ago, when Director of Winemaking and Viticulture, Gilles Nicault, first arrived in Washington from southern France, there were only 75 wineries. Today, the number has surged to over 1,000. Despite this rapid growth, Gilles notes that the quality of Washington wines has remained exceptional.
Gilles has overseen the winemaking at Long Shadows from the very beginning. His collaboration with the “who’s who” of international winemaking was a mutually beneficial relationship producing some of Washington’s finest and highest scoring wines over the past 20 years.
In fact, our 2019 Long Shadows Feather Cabernet Sauvignon earned 100 points from Wine Advocate with this effusive praise:
“It’s seductive, finessed, rich, round and undeniably the champion of the lineup this year, offering a world-class Cabernet with an alluring nose that tempts with aromas of dark cherry, pure oak essences and picturesque floral notes...let this wine be the guiding light for any non-believers that Washington State can produce elegant, world-class Cabernet that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best that the world has to offer....it literally leaves me silent and breathless with goosebumps as I try to remember every detail of every layer."
A Global Collaboration
Reflecting on his career, Gilles highlights the influence of two mentors: Rick Small of Woodward Canyon and Allen Shoup. Allen, in particular, played a pivotal role in Gilles's journey by entrusting him with the production at Long Shadows Vintners. Gilles credits pioneers like Allen for bringing international expertise and innovative techniques to the region, elevating Washington State's wines to global recognition. Working with renowned vintners like Randy Dunn, Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka, John Duval, Armin Diel, Agustin Huneeus Sr. and Ambroggio and Giovanni Folonari was an extraordinary experience, allowing Gilles to learn from the best while developing his own winemaking style.
This collaborative approach has not only produced exceptional wines but has also brought global attention to Washington wine. Each winemaker became an ambassador for Washington wine, sharing their discoveries about our region's potential with colleagues and wine enthusiasts throughout the world.
Celebrating Washington Wine Month at Long Shadows
This Washington Wine Month, we invite you to experience the unique character of our wines that represent both international expertise and the distinctive terroir of our varied vineyard sites. Throughout March, both our Woodinville and Walla Walla tasting rooms are featuring special flight offerings that showcase the diversity of our collection.
Looking Forward: The Next Chapter of Washington Wine
As we toast Washington Wine Month, we also look toward the future. The vision that Allen brought to life with Long Shadows continues to evolve with Gilles at the helm.
There are many incredible places on earth, but the genuine people, the dramatic landscape, the ever growing gastronomy scene and outside activities are what make the Pacific Northwest such a unique place to be... So here I am, thirty years later, still roaming the vineyards of the Columbia Valley and loving it. - Gilles Nicault