From Stones to Story: The Rocks District of Walla Walla
Checking the sugar levels on our Tempranillo grapes
Every vineyard has a voice—but few sing as distinctly as the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. Tucked within the greater Walla Walla AVA, this tiny sub-appellation is unlike anywhere else in the wine world. Its defining feature? Ancient basalt cobblestones blanket the vineyard floor. These stones are more than just scenery: they absorb heat during the day, radiate it back into the vines at night, and stress the roots just enough to yield wines with remarkable depth, texture, and personality. Kim and I first visited the vineyard as the Tempranillo grapes were just developing in June 2023. We were excited to commit to bringing this special AVA to you.
On September 23, 2023, we brought those grapes home to Portland—grapes that carry the soul of both the land and the season. Tempranillo, though native to Spain, finds a thrilling expression here in Oregon’s corner of the Walla Walla Valley, shaped by the unique geology and climate of the Rocks District.
Our 2023 Tempranillo Rosé, which you have already met, was born from this vineyard, crafted with the precision and care that define Caelestis Cellars. Bright, robust, and structured, our 2023 Tempranillo Rosé earned a 90-point score from James Suckling, a recognition that affirms what we knew from the very first sip: the Rocks District makes wines with a voice worth listening to. We are so glad you liked it!
But the story doesn’t end there. In our cellar, resting quietly in oak, is the next chapter—a Tempranillo red from the same vineyard, set for release in 2026. Still developing, this wine already shows the promise of elegance and intensity, with whispers of dark fruit, savory spice, and that unmistakable mineral backbone that only the Rocks District can deliver.
At Caelestis Cellars, we believe that great wine is a dialogue between vineyard and vintner. By working with exceptional sites like the Cougar Crest Vineyard in the Rocks District, we honor both tradition and terroir while bringing our artisanal approach to your glass.
We invite you to taste the story—first in the Rosé that sings of summer, and soon in the red that will capture the soul of the Rocks District for years to come.
Every day is a drink-the-good-wine-day!
Cheers & hugs,
Kim & Christian
August 2023…grapes are getting close to harvest. The netting is to keep the birds away.
