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Abeja
www.abeja.net
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Abeja Winery
Abeja Winery
Country of Origin: USA
Location: Walla Walla
People: Ken & Ginger Harrison, Owners | John Abbott, Winemaker


After more than 35 years in the business community of Portland, Oregon, Ken and Ginger Harrison decided to embark upon a new adventure. It was Ken's passion for Cabernet Sauvignon and the climate for growing this varietal that brought the Harrisons to Walla Walla. While Ken pursues his love of wine as grower and producer, Ginger applies her gracious hand to operating their small Inn.

Companions in life and work, John Abbott and Molly Galt joined Ken and Ginger in the spring of 2002, completing the partnership. John began his career in the Napa Valley when, straight out of college, he went to work first for Pine Ridge and later for Acacia Winery. In 1994, he and Molly moved to Walla Walla to begin Canoe Ridge Vineyard, where he was the winemaker for nearly ten years, and she was in charge of all onsite marketing and public relations.

A common vision of quality and determination to be a leader in the future of Washington state Cabernet made the foursome a perfect team.

Traditional methods combined with innovative techniques, and a meticulous commitment to detail, define the Abeja winemaking philosophy. From the site chosen to plant the vines, and the care given them throughout the year, to harvest, and through the numerous stages of the winemaking process, there are many choices to make and each have a lasting and cumulative effect upon quality.

Their small team is passionately dedicated to quality. This begins in the vineyard, and continues through every part of the process that leads to our final product. Their state-of-the-art winery is designed to handle even the smallest quantities of fruit, so that farming for flavor always takes precedence over logistics.

The wines are made to accompany the meal. This means a balanced wine with a solid framework of tannin and acidity that is filled with pure, lush, fruit, richness in the mid-palate, elegant integrated oak, a moderate alcohol level and a generous finish. We accomplish this through meticulous viticultural management, gentle handling of the fruit and the wine, customized practices for every lot no matter how small, and carefully selected French oak.

Winemaker, John Abbott
John's professional winemaking career began in 1989, when as a new college graduate, he went to work for Pine Ridge Winery in the famous Stags Leap area of the Napa Valley. After working there with some of the region's best Cabernet Sauvignon and thinking he would eventually return to his home state of Oregon to make Pinot Noir, he joined Acacia Winery. Acacia, located in the Carneros region of the Napa Valley, is known for making perfectly finessed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. During his first interview, with then-General Manager Larry Brooks, John learned about the Chalone Wine Group's fledgling project in Washington State called Canoe Ridge Vineyard. Four years later, and after working with the early vintages from the young estate vineyard through frequent visits, John accepted the opportunity to start the estate winery. He moved to Walla Walla, Washington and joined the Washington wine industry in July of 1994.

The next phase of John's winemaking career began in the spring of 2002, when he left Canoe Ridge Vineyard to get back in the cellar. Proud of the success of Canoe Ridge, he was ready to begin again with a new focus and a new approach. It was at this time that John joined forces with his friend, Ken Harrison, and together they founded Abeja. The two men were brought together by a common vision of quality and a passion for Cabernet Sauvignon, the varietal that both men believe will increasingly be recognized as the icon varietal of Washington State. During John's tenure at Canoe Ridge Vineyard, he became known for his consistently outstanding Merlots, Chardonnays, and Cabernet Sauvignons. Among his peers, he is appreciated for his technical expertise, infallible palate, and entertaining sense of humor.

Under John's direction, Abeja has rapidly become known for extraordinary, limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Chardonnay, Viognier, and Syrah.

Media Links
The Seattle Times: Things are buzzing at Abeja winery
Washington Wine Report: Cabernet is king at Abeja
DowntoEarthnm.com: Walla Walla winery focuses on being sustainable, safe for salmon

Social Media
Abeja Facebook
Items
Abeja 2012 Chardonnay, Washington Net Price Reviews —
Abeja 2011 Merlot, Columbia Valley Net Price Reviews —
Reviews
Abeja 2011 Merlot, Columbia Valley
Rating: 90

Vibrant and focused, with expressive floral blackberry and red pepper aromatics that carry through to the long finish, playing against refined tannins. Drink now through 2017.

- The Wine Spectator (5/31/2014)

Abeja 2011 Merlot, Columbia Valley
Rating: 88

Full medium red. Sour cherry, redcurrant, milk chocolate and nutty oak on the nose, with a suggestion of cooked fruits. Dense and tactile on the palate, with red fruit, herb and tobacco leaf flavors showing good concentration but lacking real verve. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins and good fruit sweetness but could use more lift.

- International Wine Cellar (12/1/2013)

Abeja 2012 Chardonnay, Washington
Rating: 91

Polished, sleek and expressive, playing the pear and almond flavors against lively acidity and mouthcoating texture. Lingers enticingly on the medium-weight finish. Drink now through 2018.

- The Wine Spectator (5/31/2014)

Abeja 2012 Chardonnay, Washington
Rating: 90

Pale lemon-yellow color. Musky grapefruit, apple and nutmeg aromas are complicated by subtle nuances of anise, smoke and botanical herbs. Broad, plush and rich but not heavy, with stone fruit and ripe citrus flavors complemented by a spicy element. In a rather elegant, understated style, finishing fresh, lightly saline and smooth.

- International Wine Cellar (12/1/2013)