orgeron is the French word for blacksmith as our winery/tasting room was the former site of a blacksmith shop. The word "Forgeron" also has a slightly different meaning in French, referring to artisans who build with their hands combining experience with an extensive knowledge of their trade.
This is the vision that Marie-Eve Gilla, part owner and winemaker, brings to the winery each day by crafting complex, food friendly wines from vineyards chosen for their maturity and flavor profile.

Forgeron Cellars was founded in 2001 by a group of investors, mostly from the Walla Walla Valley, who have been involved in the wine industry since 1989.This new venture emphasizes their passion and dedication for a long-term commitment to a rapidly growing industry in the Walla Walla Valley.

We have contracted with many vineyards strategically located across the Yakima, Columbia and Walla-Walla Valleys.  Our focus is on reflecting the quality of grapes from the best sites and to reveal the full potential of Washington State.  We are also actively developing distinct vineyards in  Walla Walla, illustrating our long-term commitment to the industry in this valley we are proud to call home.

Accolades

2009 Walla Walla Spring Release Weekend Report

"While Forgeron uses this fruit to produce a number of standard varietal wines, the winery also produces several less common varietal wines, including an excellent Roussanne and perhaps the best Zinfandel being made in the state. Gilla’s wines are simultaneously bold and understated - a compelling combination of the Old World and New. Of these wines, the 2004 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet was simply transcendent, a wine so good that it literally brought all conversation to a stop." Sean P Sullivan touts, if you would like to read the full article, click here.

Sean P Sullivan, "2009 Walla Walla Spring Release Weekend Report." Washington Wine Report, June 30th 2009

Washington now making some zinfandels with zing

"Some of the best zinfandels I have tasted recently came — rather surprisingly — not from California but from Washington. The grape used to be a rarity in Washington, but no longer. Thurston Wolfe has made single-vineyard zins since the mid-1990s, and Forgeron began producing them in 2001 (a recent tasting of Forgeron's first six vintages showed them all to be in excellent drinking condition)."

Paul Gregutt, "Washington now making some zinfandels with zing" Seattle Times Pacific Northwest, June 14th 2009

Marie makes the Wine Peep's weekend one to remember

The Wine Peeps Bloggers were looking for something new and thankfully stopped by our tasting room the weekend of Vintage Walla Walla. We had a good time showing them our new releases and thankfully Marie was around to show them around the winery. Within the blog Kori explains, "Luckily, Forgeron winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla happened to be in when we stopped by so we were able to tour the winery with her. Visiting with Marie was a highlight of the weekend for me, and my daughter Sydney absolutely loved Marie’s dog, Salsa." Never the less, why take our word for it when you can read their blog right here.

Kori, "Vintage Walla Walla 2009" WinePeeps.com, June 10th 2009

Women of Washington Wine: Marie-Eve Gilla of Forgeron Cellars

"Marie-Eve Gilla, part owner and winemaker for Forgeron Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington, was born in Paris, France. She earned her Master’s Degree in enology and viticulture at the University of Dijon, also receiving practical training in the wineries and vineyards of Burgundy. In 1991, she traveled to the United States to further her winemaking experience. Realizing the incredible potential of the wine industry in the Pacific Northwest, she stayed, helped found Forgeron Cellars in 2001, and became a U.S. citizen in 2004." To read the full article, Click Here.

Kori, "Women of Washington Wine: Marie-Eve Gilla of Forgeron Cellars." Winechatr.com, May 2009

2004 Boushey Syrah - Columbia Valley - Red Wine Scoring between 9 - 9.5

Alder at Vinography rated wines at the 2009 Taste Washington event in Seattle and has posted his favorites list on their blog. Some other wineries we were ranked with were Long Shadows, Woodward Canyon, L'Ecole No 41, Fidelitas, Walter Dacon, and Gramercy. For the full Vinography article, Click Here.

Alder, "The Best Wine in Washington State: Notes from Taste Washington 2009." Vinography, May 2009

2006 Chardonnay - Columbia Valley - More Versatile Chardonnays

"Stop by the Forgeron Cellars tasting room near downtown Walla Walla for a taste of wine and a taste of style – a warm welcome always. This superb Chardonnay is gentle on the pocketbook for a meticulously crafted, barrel-fermented wine that can stand alone or serve as a great accompaniment to rich fish or chicken from the grill.  White peach and Asian pear on the nose with toasty notes.  Creamy vanilla, baking spice and pear on the palate." For the full breakdown from Chuck, Click Here.

Chuck Hill, "Wines of the Week, More Versatile Chardonnays." Wines Northwest, May 2009

Wine of the Weekend Award from Washington Wine Report

"Forgeron Cellars's 2004 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. In the middle of a conversation with two people from the winery, Lindy tried this wine and blurted out “Oh my God!” bringing all conversation to a halt. After the conversation continued I tried the wine and, again interrupting the conversation, exclaimed “Oh my God you weren’t kidding.” It is a wine so good one loses all discretion upon first sip. A superb, breathtaking effort by winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla."

Sean Sullivan, "Walla Walla Spring Release 2009 Wine Game." Washington Wine Report, May 2009

Medal winner at 8th Annual Sexy Syrah at Salty's

The Forgeron Cellars's 2004 Boushey Vineyard Syrah placed 3rd out of 51 wines in the judging competition. It was also picked by Sean Sullivan from the Washington Wine Report as his favorite syrah within the competition. The 2004 Boushey Syrah does a wonderful job of showing what this vineyard can do with syrah. And as a testament to the vineyard, the top Syrah of the competition was also a Yakima Valley Syrah from Boushey Vineyard. Please check out the full write up at Washington Wine Report for more information about the event.

Recomended in Sunset Magazine "Best of Small Towns"

Sunset Magazine listed us in the "Food & Wine Haven Walla Walla, WA - A Cab capital stays true to its rural soul." Being one of the few wineries mentioned within the article shows us to be a can't miss winery in Walla Walla.

Sara Schineider, "Food & Wine Haven." Sunset Magazine, March 2009

Walldeaux Smithie - Columbia Valley - Best Red Bordeaux-Style Blend

"An excellent value, this is full of plum and deep cherry flavors and shows fresh acidity. All this is set against a backbone of soft tannins. It's an Old World style of wine (lighter bodied, elegant) with New World taste (big fruit, soft tannins that meld beautifully). It's a good match for a burger or a steak."

Victoria Lahti, "Washington Wine Awards." Seattle Magazine, April 2009

2006 Chardonnay - Columbia Valley - Best Chardonnay

"A wine with a soft spiciness and great balance: Spiced apple and pear flavors and a lingering finish round out this delicious wine."

Victoria Lahti, "Washington Wine Awards." Seattle Magazine, April 2009

2003 Merlot - Columbia Valley

"The first bottle was so remarkable, we had to open the second bottle and savored it slowly while admiring the complexity of the wine. The nose carried a fragrance of violets, dark cherries and cocoa. Complex with every sip, but the tannins were well balanced. It was dense, with concentrated dark berries and more dark cocoa and spice to follow, while all along leaving a silky mouth feel"

Catie Walker, "North vs. South." Through the Walla Walla Grape Vine™, March 2009

Highlighting Female Winemakers of Washington

"Marie-Eve Gilla, who is part owner and winemaker, definitely seems to have found her life's calling when she turned to winemaking. As it is, her name has been espoused by those who compare Walla Walla to the next Napa!"

Washington Wine, December 2008

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon - Columbia Valley - Score 98

"Top Wines of 2008." Just Wine Points, January 2009

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon - Columbia Valley - Number 43

Paul Gregutt, "Top 100 Washington Wines." Seattle Times, December 2008

2005 Zinfandel - Columbia Valley - Outstanding

"It is entirely possible that Burgundian-trained Maire-Eve Gilla never worked with Zinfandel before arriving to the Walla Walla Valley. She has been producing Zin for Forgeron since 2002, and this is her finest effort to date. This opens with complex aromas of white pepper, spicy raspberries and blueberries, followed by bright flavors of rich, ripe raspberries and cherries. The oak is well integrated, playing a bit of background music in a symphony of flavors."

Andy Perdue, "Little Italy." Wine Press Northwest Fall 2008, pg 52.

2008 Roussanne - Walla Walla Valley

"Roussanne - named for its russet colored skin - shins in this lively wine made from 100% Roussanne from the Lonesome Springs Vineyard. Zesty lime, fresh peach and honey dew on the palate, tart acidity and a soft mouthfeel make winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla's spicy Roussanne an elegant food wine."

Seattlemag.com. August 16, 2008. Tiger Oak Publications, February 10, 2009

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon - Columbia Valley - Score 92

"The grapes come from three very widely seperated vineyard sources. The Klipsun, says winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla, is for the backbone and tannins; the Pepper Bridge gives dried herbs and tighter tannins; and the Alder Ridge is more European and fills our the midpalate. This is showing very well, and has clearly benefited from the extra bottle age. It's beautifully integrated, with the tannins substantial but polished. The fruit mixes ripe berries and moves smoothly into flavors of earth, smoke, tobacco and graphite." P.G.

Wine Enthusiast, August 1, 2008

2006 Chardonnay - Columbia Valley - Score 91

"The blend includes 2% Muscat, an experiment that may not be repeated, though it worked quite well, boosting the aromatics and adding pretty floral notes at the top. The fruit is solidly anchored in citrus, pear and peach; and the barrels add a pleasing toastiness to the finish. There's a hint of anise as well. Lovely balance and fullness throughout." P.G.

Wine Enthusiast, August 1, 2008

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon - Columbia Valley - Silver Medal

San Francisco International Wine Competition, June 15th, 2008

2006 Chardonnay - Columbia Valley - Silver Medal

San Francisco International Wine Competition, June 15th, 2008

2005 Zinfandel - Columbia Valley

"One look at this amazing dark plum color in your glass and you will know this is going to be exquisite. Intense aromas of licorice, blackberries, cloves and white pepper. In the mouth the wine shows cherry compote, spicy plum, blueberry and cinnamon with under currants of vanilla in the long and spicy ride through the finish."

Jeff Fournier. Esquin Wine Merchants, May 2008 pg.3.

2003 Merlot - Columbia Valley - Score 90

"Dense and beautifully concentrated, this nicely aged, 100% Merlot opens with round plum, cassis and black cherry fruit, a blend of Klipsun, Boushey, Clifton and Alder Ridge grapes, from four different AVAs. It's long, thick tannins extend the palate impression and the nicely melded fruit and barrel flavors linger beautifully, suggesting a good 6-8 years of life ahead." P.G.

Wine Enthusiast, May 1, 2008

2005 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer - Yakima Valley

"A wine that could get you drunk on aromatics alone, Forgeron Cellar's late-harvest gewürztraminer ($14) is another vibrant wine from the brazenly ripe 2005 vintage. Inhaling its rose-petal, tropical, orange-zest perfume conveys a certain happiness that only a beachside massage and tropical drink can bestow ."
Maggie Dutton, Seattle Weekly, November 28, 2007.

2003 Syrah - Columbia Valley - Score 91

"This is 100% Syrah, delicious, fragrant and loaded with spice. It's a blend from several different Washington AVAs, and has just the right mix of citrus, pepper, smoke, spice, acid, toast and tannin, bringing in elements from all of them. The fruit is sweet and brambly: the herbal elements are just right, adding notes of leaf and tobacco. There is a whiff of smoke and bacon fat, and the citrus/acid components lifts it nicely."
Wine Enthusiast, November 1, 2007

2003 Syrah - Columbia Valley

Paul Gregutt's Top 100 Washington State Wines For 2007.
Seattle Times, December 18, 2007