We visited Morrison Lane Winery for the first time this year in March during one of our many wine quest jaunts. Little did we know that we were in for a real treat. The Morrison Lane Winery is located in the historic Dacres Building in downtown Walla Walla and opened its doors in 2002. When you enter the building you immediately notice the large tasting bar lined up with many bottles of Morrison labeled wines. Behind the bar you will meet Dean and Verdie Morrison, owners of this family operated winery, both of whom are charming, witty and fun to spend time with. You also will notice a large baby grand piano, a cello, guitar and other musical instruments. Owner, Dean Morrison, with his quick smile and long, gray pony tail, informed us that they host musical evenings with jazz and blues musicians. What better way to enjoy good wine but with good music. No musicians were scheduled to play the evening of our visit, but we could easily imagine an enjoyable evening with dim lights, a bottle or two of wine and the sounds of jazz filling the room.  

The Morrison's may have opened their tasting room in 2002; but Dean and Verdie have been growing fruit and supplying local wineries with their unique varietals of Rhone and Italian origin since 1997.  Dean is proud of his heritage, stating that the Morrison Farm was established in 1918 by his grandparents.  He and Verdie planted the first, four-acre block of Syrah in 1994, and since that time Dean has planted unusual varietals new to the Walla Walla Valley. Dean is proud of Morrison's growing reputation for unique varietals. When we told him of our interest in a true Walla Walla Valley AVA white, Dean quickly informed us that he was the first to plant Viognier in Walla Walla thirteen years ago. We were blown away by the Morrison Lane Viognier, and knew immediately that we had to share this wine with our wine club members, family and friends. I was also anxious to pair it with one of my favorite dishes, Tequila Chicken.

Morrison Lane is a small, family-owned and operated winery (youngest son Dan is now the winemaker). This incredible boutique winery only makes 2,000 cases a year and they plan to keep it that way. In addition to some unusual Italian and French varietals, Morrison Lane also produces wonderfully balanced yet intensely flavored syrahs, sangiovese and its red blend 33 1/3^rd, which sells for $33.33.