Valdemar Estates Winery Opens In Walla Walla Valley

CEO Jesús Martínez Bujanda Mora

Hospitality Director Kaleigh Vrapi on the deck in front of the outstanding view of the Blue Mountains.

The pool of water on the Valdemar Estates deck is a central visual element.

The waterfall is a touch that takes the tasting room to another level.

Valdemar Estates, the first non-American-owned winery in Washington state, opened the doors to its Walla Walla Valley tasting room on Saturday, April 27.

Located near Amavi Cellars off of Pepper Bridge Road, the tasting room features a wall of falling water, ample seating, and a beautiful view of the Blue Mountains.

CEO Jesús Martínez Bujanda Mora represents the fifth generation of his family’s 130-year-old wine business, Bodegas Valdemar, which is based in the Rioja region of Spain.

Jesús said Valdemar Estates will display a few pieces of his family’s history – a barrel press that dates back to his family’s first vintages, along with a hand pump. 

Initial tastings will feature three 2017 Syrahs, made by head winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla, along with a selection of wines from Bodegas Valdemar, the family’s winery in Spain. Bottles of the three Valdemar Estates Syrahs will only be available to founding wine club members, who will each receive them in a commemorative box.

Jesús said he was very thankful to the Walla Walla community for being so welcoming to his family and their venture. Within half an hour of viewing the real estate where his winery now stands, he was signing ownership papers. That never would have been possible in Spain, he said. Welcome to Walla Walla!