Amber Lane & Annette Bergevin
Annette Bergevin and Amber Lane are the dynamic duo that make up the core of Bergevin Lane Vineyards. Along with winemaker Steffan Jorgensen, the winery has earned distinction among Walla Walla area wineries with their highly acclaimed wine, charm and welcoming attitude. Annette and Amber collaborated in answering a few questions about the winery, their wines, and what it’s like to be located in the Walla Walla Valley.
Often times winery owners and winemakers can easily name something wine-related that has inspired them to pursue a career in the wine industry. However, I’m curious to hear what NON-wine things have inspired you, or continue to inspire you, to venture down your chosen path?
I am continually inspired by the personal connections that we make. We have met and continue to meet and make friends with amazing people from all over the world and that is inspiring!
Speaking of inspirational people, any noteworthy individuals in or out of the wine industry who have been especially motivating for you?
We have met incredibly inspiring people from all over, however, two people in particular pop into our minds. The first person is Elizabeth Slater-our wine marketing teacher from Santa Rosa, California. She’s savvy, funny, always encouraging, and always has great advice for us. The second person who comes to mind is Allen Shoup, the founder of Long Shadows Winery and ex-CEO of St. Michelle. He has been our advice guru and mentor in certain areas. With his vast expertise and success in the wine industry, we are fortunate to have his ear!
Since forming in early 2001, what has been the biggest challenge or obstacle along the way to where you are now?
For me personally, time management has been the most challenging. Balancing work, play, family, me-time, and friends between and around wine-related events and obligations makes time management a science that I haven’t mastered yet!
Also, related to the previous question, what would you say has been one of your shining moments of triumph or high points of Bergevin Lane so far?
Shining moments of triumph? I’m still waiting! Seriously, we are a young winery in a very competitive industry – we’ve had some “moments” related to recognition but perhaps our shining moment is yet to come.
Winemaker Steffan Jorgensen
Speaking of recognition, I notice some great scores and reviews for your wines continuously, which wine seems to be your most popular, or “flagship” wine that best represents Bergevin Lane?
Oh, that is tough question! For a white wine it would be our Viognier. It’s very limited; it’s distinctively Bergevin Lane style – creamy, big, complex, and fruit-driven. For a red wine I think our Intuition really captures Bergevin Lane and our commitment to consistency and quality. It is the “best of the best” of our Bordeaux varietals and delivers Bergevin Lane style with a POW!
There seems to be a strong communal vibe amongst the Walla Walla area wineries, can you please comment with your thoughts about camaraderie in this unique wine region?
There is a strong sense of “being a good neighbor” in the WW wine community. We all understand that as a wine community, we are as strong as our greatest weakness so we help one another out. At the end of the day, we all want to make excellent wine and have fun while doing it.
I think Walla Walla’s isolation from a major city has probably helped bolster this idea of neighborly wineries, what else do you think sets Walla Walla apart (besides terrior) from other geographic wine communities?
In addition to the great wine growing region we have we also have a wine alliance organization that sets the bar for quality representation of our wineries and wine growers across the state and across the country. We have folks with many diverse backgrounds choosing Walla Walla to call home and start their wineries. These diverse backgrounds are fantastic for helping come up with strategic marketing ideas for our wineries as well. Our restaurants support our wine community and their quality adds value to a wine lover’s Walla Walla wine experience. We have a group of wine pioneers living in our community that are fantastic role models for wines being produced in our region and they continue to give back to our wine community by being leaders in all of the wine organizations across the state and within wine organizations across the country. We have artisan folks from cheese making to artists to local eateries and breweries who are adding to the colors of our community and providing a unique visitor’s experience. Walla Walla hosts a series of Historic Walking Tours downtown; we have great museums, universities and colleges in our area including the Walla Walla Community College Enology & Viticulture Center. We’re serious about our wines, however come to one of our homes for a BBQ and we’re just plain fun.
Bergevin Lane Vineyards
Care to explain some of the exciting new things coming up with Bergevin Lane (wine, events, surprises)?
Our idea of exciting news may not fit into the traditional idea of what’s exciting. For instance, we are thrilled when we get a new piece of production equipment for the winery! As far as events go, we have two great parties a year at the winery for our Club: Swirl Wine Club. If we told you the surprises, they wouldn’t be surprises anymore! :-)
Okay, so without spoiling any surprises, can you mention any upcoming wines we’ll be seeing from Bergevin Lane sometime soon?
We have a few very limited and exciting wines that are just released. Our 2007 “Heart and Soul” Pinot Noir from Couse Creek Vineyard in Oregon. We are the only winery making Pinot Noir in Walla Walla so that makes this wine very special. We just released 47 cases of 2007 Grenache from Stone Tree Vineyards in the Wahluke Slope. It’s everything one would expect in a Grenache – juicy red fruits, earth tones, and spicy notes. Delicious! We also made 2007 Mouvedre for our wine club and we are hoping to bring back Cabernet Franc for a limited offering in the future.
Check out Bergevin Lane Vineyard’s “Straight from the Source” video…
