Dunham Cellars

Qualifying as one of the most unusual locations for a winery, Dunham Cellars is found in a World War II era airplane hangar. Long gone are the airplanes, however. Today you'll find a spectacular setting and carefully crafted wines made with a personal touch by the director of wine, Eric Dunham.

All Together Now

Family is an essential part of the Dunham Cellars experience, as the winery is co-owned by Eric and his parents, Mike and Joanne. Eric honed his skills by working for prominent area wineries for several years. At L'Ecole No. 41, Eric served as assistant winemaker and, in his free time, began trying his hand at his own wines, which he bottled under the Dunham Cellars name. His 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon received praise from wine critics, which led Eric to return to his roots. He teamed up with his parents and their shared love of wine, launching their own winery in 1997.

As natives of Walla Walla, Mike and Joanne share Eric's passion for all the area offers in the way of viticulture. In fact, Joanne's family farmed in the area for two generations. When the family business started to take off, Mike retired and now leads national sales and marketing for the winery. In early 2008, Dan Wampfler joined the family as winemaker. His formal education combined with his previous Washington winemaking experiences allows Dan to bring to Dunham his philosophy "Winemaking is science applied to art."

A Splash of History

Not surprisingly for a winery in a remodeled World War II airplane hangar, Dunham Cellars is located close to the Walla Walla Regional Airport. The hangar had been part of an army airbase and has a rustic, 1940s interior décor. Its old catwalk still hangs above the fermentation room floor. Eric is also an artist, and he displays his original artwork throughout the winery. The tasting room was added in 2000 and includes a gift shop, while the barrel room was built in 2006.

Taste of Craftsmanship

Grapes for the wines come from Dunham Cellars' three estate vineyards, which produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Riesling. Perhaps its best-known wine is the Three Legged Red, named for one of the canine members of the Dunham Cellars family. Among the winery's recent accomplishments was a 94 rating from Wine Enthusiast for its 2004 Lewis Vineyard Syrah.

Dunham Cellars also hosts winemaker dinners in the special events room of the hangar. The meals may consist of anything from a casual outdoor barbeque to a six-course dinner, and they are carefully paired with notable Dunham Cellars wines.

Less is More

In creating his premium wines, Eric's approach is deceptively simple: he seeks out the best fruit sources he can find, and then employs a minimalist role in blending them. "I believe we create a wine that is age-worthy, yet approachable now," Eric likes to say. He takes pride in treating the wines gently throughout the process. It all makes for a fine glass of wine, which can be enjoyed in a setting designed to encourage picnicking, wandering… or simply walking the dog.