Vital Wines – Washington Wine With A Conscience
by James Robinson, Your Co-op Sommelier
The Port Townsend Food Co-op is proud to celebrate Taste Washington Wine Month this year, by kicking off the annual event on March 1 with special pricing on Vital Wines – a Walla Walla based winery with a conscience.
Founded in 2015, Vital Wines is a non-profit winery with a mission to improve access to healthcare for Washington vineyard and cellar workers. To meet that mission, Vital donates 100% of its profits to organizations that provide healthcare to local wine industry workers, many of whom do not have health insurance. Since its inception, Vital has donated most of its profits to SOS Health Services in Walla Walla – a free, bilingual, open-door, ‘no questions asked’ health clinic. Most everything at SOS is donated and nurses, doctors and staff all volunteer their time.
In addition to funding the clinic, Vital expanded its humanitarian efforts last year when it launched the ‘Day at Home’ program to help wine industry workers deal with the economic impact of Covid-19. To date, ‘Day at Home’ reports that it has given thousands of dollars to vineyard employees potentially exposed to Covid-19, so they can stay home for testing without having to worry about the loss of daily wages.
Vital produces about 1,000 cases of wine a year, utilizing donated fruit, labels, bottling, graphic design work, screwcaps, corks, storage, trucking, and more. The goal, according to Vital’s founder, Ashley Trout, is to maximize donated supplies in order to maximize Vital’s ability to donate dollars.
Trout has been a key player in the Washington wine industry since 1999. During a career that has spanned more than two decades, Trout has started three wineries: Flying Trout, Brook and Bull, and now Vital, and the industry has taken notice.
To that end, in 2018, the Wine Enthusiast featured Trout in their annual ‘Top 40 under 40’ issue. After more than 20 years making wine in Washington coupled with working eight harvests in Argentina, Trout has elevated Washington malbec to an entirely new level. (You can also find Brook and Bull malbec on the top shelf of Aisle 5.) But, Trout, Brook and Bull, and now Vital, are much more than just malbec.
Vital boasts a fine portfolio of single varietal offerings along with a few gorgeous blends, and each bottling showcases Trout’s winemaking talents. Trout’s wines hum with poise, subtlety, purity and grace and resonate with a deep sense of place. These are wines for wine lovers and they deserve recognition for quality beyond their philanthropic mission.
Taste Washington Wine Month is an annual event sponsored by the Washington Wine Commission. The goal is to celebrate the state’s wineries, winemakers and grape growers and to encourage wine drinkers to drink local. Many retailers and tasting rooms offer promotional pricing during the month. The Port Townsend Food Co-op is offering 10 percent off select Washington wines and all Local 5 wines.
2019 Vital French Creek Chardonnay Red Mountain AVA
Regular Price: $27.99
Washington Wine Month Sale Price: 17.99
Lemon meringue pie leads into flint, wet rocks and notes of pear, pineapple and honey. Lemon oil and spruce comes in later, met with a feathery texture and a soft finish. 113 cases made.
2019 Vital Rosé Walla Walla Valley AVA
Regular Price $27.99
Washington Wine Month Sale Price: $17.99
Made from 100% Mourvedre donated by Seven Hills Vineyard. Aromas are initially clean, crisp, and tight with light floral, candy ester, cucumber, and red fruits. Fruit intensity grows with hibiscus and lime on the palate. The wine is structured by firm acidity and some phenolic complexity, finishing crisp with lingering impressions of peppery spice and herb. Should pair well with the first spring and summer salads and a wide range of grilled foods – 104 cases made.
2017 Vital Wines ‘The Given’ Blend Walla Walla Valley AVA
64% Syrah 36% Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular Price: $27.99
Washington Wine Month Sale Price: $17.99
Bacon, black currant and blackberry give way to subtle notes of smoke, cocoa, flint and raspberry. The finish is velvety smooth with a tart kick and lush tannins. Pair with mole´and red chilé enchiladas. 275 cases made.
2017 Vital ‘Gratitude’ Walla Walla Valley AVA
67% Syrah, 33% Malbec
Price: $31.99 Regular Washington Wine Month Sale Price: $27.99
Plums and dried violets, black cherry and beef jerky, wet farmland dirt is coupled with robust tannins and bright acid. This one will age beautifully, but if you’re opening now, go ahead and decant. Cherry fruit leather and the slightest hint of mixed olives- this wine is truly a syrah-malbec blend. Pair with steak. 122 cases made.
