ABOVE: The Renaissance-style vaulted ceiling in the foyer of the Castello
di Paradiso, painted by Mark Marthaler, is a faithful reproduction of Old
World craftsmanship.
Photograph by Claude Blankiet
TOP RIGHT: Castello di Paradiso and its magnificently
landscaped grounds.
Photograph by Claude Blankiet
As these notable winemakers came to visit the Columbia Valley with Allen,
they began to catch his enthusiasm for the growing region and his dream of a
winery encompassing multiple winemakers—each an owner-partner crafting
a single, unique wine—began to unfold. The partner list at Long Shadows
reads like a who's who of the wine industry—all known for creating benchmark
wines. Randy Dunn crafts Feather, an intense and elegant cabernet sauvignon.
John Duval creates Sequel, a deep, dark syrah. Pirouette, a red blend
that is bursting with complex aromas and flavors, is a collaboration between
Agustin Huneeus Sr. and Philippe Melka. Then there's a merlot with a silky
and prolonged finish named Pedestal, crafted by Michel Rolland, while Armin
Diel's Poet's Leap is an off dry riesling with welcoming richness. Another
red blend, full of complexity and flavor, is Saggi, the brainchild of father-son
duo Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari. Gilles Nicault, who is Long Shadows'
head winemaker overseeing daily winemaking, perfects Chester-Kidder, an
excellent red blend beautifully integrated around a spicy core.