WINES OF PLACE

FIGGINS was born from “the site” - Planting to the proper varietals, placement within the vineyard, trellising, and hundreds of other decisions that go into winegrowing and winemaking with the ultimate goal - to elevate “the site” through the wines. 

Figgins Estate Vineyard Aerial

Above the

Walla Walla Valley

My initial ambition when returning to Walla Walla as my parents first fulltime employee was to convert Leonetti Cellar to all estate grown. After witnessing the devastation of the big freeze of 1996 throughout Washington State, I knew we needed more control over our viticulture and to focus on higher elevation hillside vineyard sites, offering more natural protection from frost and freeze. In the early 2000’s a small wheat and pea farm came up for sale on the amazing hillside that rises above the Mill Creek corridor. Not believing my eyes, I pulled the ‘for sale’ sign out of the ground, threw it in the back of my truck, and met with my parents to discuss what I was certain was the next Leonetti estate vineyard. My parents gently declined the idea for Leonetti, but with their blessing, my dream single-vineyard project – FIGGINS – began.

Vineyard Masterpiece

As one of the highest elevation commercial vineyards of substantial size in Washington State, Figgins Estate Vineyard is a south-facing hillside sitting at 1,500-1,750 feet. Planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Riesling, it is an incredibly special place I consider my masterpiece of varietal selection, trellising, and intensive, sustainable viticulture. For two decades we have dedicated ourselves to sustainable farming. There are several ways we encourage the symbiosis of grape vines and the bacteria and fungi that drive the health of our soils. The first is through a “do no harm” approach, meaning avoiding herbicides and introducing microbes through the use of compost teas. These are carefully made by extracting the beneficial biome from earth worm castings and rapidly expanding their population in a “tea” brewer through a unique process. The resulting "tea" is then applied in the vineyard. We take care to intentionally feed our soil organisms through an annual cover cropping and tillage regimen. Tilled under cover crops are organic matter which will become humus for the biome and completes the symbiosis cycle.

A Personal Passion

As a second generation winegrower and winemaker, it was always important with Leonetti Cellar to carry on the legacy my parents started while continuing to lead my family in bringing you the finest of our efforts.

FIGGINS presented me with the opportunity to infuse more of my own personality and passion into its story from the start. I love music, and came up with the idea to name each block of Figgins Estate Vineyard after a song that was meaningful or significant in my life. Below, I invite you to explore our vineyard block names and the “why” behind each one.

“The Figgins estate vineyard has emerged as one of the Grand Crus of Washington State. The 2021 is one of the most captivating examples of this wine I’ve ever encountered. Chris Figgins fell in love with this high-elevation site, which lies above Missoula flood line at around 1200 feet. The soils here consist of a small loess, quickly giving way to shear basalt. Visitors can witness this firsthand when touring the newly completed cellar. This year, 2024, will be the first vintage vinified from start to finish at the new location. It’s an amazing winery that Figgins describes as a “winemaker’s winery,” as he insisted on all of the tools and logistical systems that he always dreamed of having in past workspaces.”

- Eric Guido, Vinous

Place Gallery
WALKIN’ ALONG THE FENCELINE-MERLOT

There’s a long story about the fenceline next to this block…suffice to say, I enjoy walking along it with my hands in my pockets. This song is about being quiet and contemplative.

Trellised to VSP. "Fenceline" and "Wicked Twisted Road" are siblings of sort—ripen at the same time, and often are picked in one long, heroic day by our vineyard crew.

Song Inspiration—Walkin' along the Fenceline, Wade Bowen

WICKED TWISTED ROAD-MERLOT

This song is a very personal reflection of my life’s journey and how the twisted road builds our life’s story.

As you drive into Figgins Estate, the first block you notice is Wicked Twisted Road as the road curves around its beautifully radiused south side. I spent countless hours laying out this vineyard, and the grace of this block and the road which frames it I am quite proud of.

Song Inspiration—Wicked Twisted Road, Reckless Kelley

MYSTIFIES ME-CABERNET SAUVIGNON

This block is named for love, the greatest mystery in my life.

Trained to a lyre system, the clonal selection in this block yields tiny berries that are incredibly floral driven in their aromatics. The trellis system is worth the extra work of constant hand grooming passes.

Song Inspiration—Mystifies Me, Son Volt

CASH & TOBACCO-CABERNET SAUVIGNON

I LOVE tobacco aromatics in my Cabernet Sauvignon and it is often present in the wine from this block. Along with Sunrise and Mystifies Me, the trellising on this block is a lyre system. This allows for high plant density, yet low shoot density with its double cordon, allowing excellent light and air flow to each cluster.

Song Inspiration—Cash & Tobacco, Nathan Hamilton and No Deal

SUNRISE-CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Just as sure as the sun comes up every morning, this is the first block it rises over. “Watched ‘em fall, watched ‘em rise up to the sky.”

In the Northwest corner is Sunrise—as every morning the sun lifts directly above this block. It is also the highest point in the vineyard, commanding an impressive view not just of Figgins Estate, but of the entire Walla Walla Valley.

Song Inspiration—Sunrise, Ryan Bingham

HALLELUJAH-PETIT VERDOT

Perhaps the most soulful song ever recorded in my opinion. It defines emotional and spiritual anguish and striving for expectations of perfection that upon reaching become disappointment.

Hallelujah peels east from Easy Plateau and recieves beautiful early morning light. When I taste the wine, the block name seems so relevant!

Song Inspiration—Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley

EASY PLATEAU-PETIT VERDOT

Just north of where I will build our home someday, this block always exudes peace to me when I walk it in a way that creates sanctuary. We all need a place to rest our heads.

Easy Plateau is aptly named, as it is a relatively flat, elevated bench dominating the north portion of the vineyard. This particular block has perhaps the finest uniformity in the vineyard.

Song Inspiration—Easy Plateau, Ryan Adams

LOST BOY-MALBEC

In loving memory of Scott Bayne. We miss you buddy.

This is my favorite block of Merlot. It yields wines of astonishing density and aromatics. The berry size is part of the reason—as for whatever reason it is consistently small, and the clusters loose and open. This is usually the first block to be harvested each year—perhaps due to the fact that it and Sun Also Set’s are the last Merlot blocks the sun fades from.

Song Inspiration—Finger on the Trigger, Bleu Edmonson

SUN ALSO SETS-MERLOT

Dedicated to the mother of my children, my ex-wife and my dear friend, Heather.

Being in the NW corner, this is the last block to see the sun at Figgins Estate Vineyard.

Song Inspiration—The Sun Also Sets, Ryan Adams

SHOUTING STONE-CABERNET SAUVIGNON

My faith is a very private thing. There was a time when it wasn’t. I have learned through time there are better ways to share it than in words. Luke 19:40.

The endposts from this block are old limestone fenceposts from Kansas, very near where my Figgins family first settled. Each one tells a story through its ancient fossils and 150 years of human and animal imprint. The block is planted to high density on a low cordon wire much like one would see in Bordeaux.

Song Inspiration—These Stones will Shout, The Raconteurs

ONE BIG HOLIDAY-MERLOT

I have Drew Bledsoe to thank for introducing me to MMJ. This is a song about hard work, catching a break, and being discovered. This exemplifies our friendship and this block. Thanks Bro.

The lower part of Figgins Estate vineyard is planted to Merlot, where the soils are slightly heavier and perfectly appropriate for the clay loam loving Merlot.

Song Inspiration—One Big Holiday, My Morning Jacket

FIELDS OF GOLD-CABERNET SAUVIGNON

This is a beautiful song of love—and how the memories we make with loved ones always come to be tied to the place in which we made them.

Figgins Estate Vineyard was formerly a wheat field before my vision for FIGGINS came to fruition. From July to October it sits in "Fields of Gold". The South side of this block is marked by a stone well house—built from reclaimed local stone from an old root cellar. I love paying homage to the history of this Valley, even as I contribute to gently transforming it.

Song Inspiration—Fields of Gold, Sting