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Dunham Cellars
WALLA WALLA
A keen palate and admiration for the art of crafting the perfect bottle of
wine inspired founding winemaker, Eric Dunham, to start Dunham Cellars in
1995. Eric was drawn to wine from a young age. While in the Navy stationed
at Moffett Field in Santa Clara County, he took as many trips as possible
to Napa Valley. When asked by his father Mike what he wanted to do after
the Navy, Eric had a clear vision: "I want to make wine." Not long after this
declaration, Eric began his six-month internship at Hogue Cellars in Prosser,
Washington. He was then hired as Assistant Winemaker at L'Ecole No. 41 in
the Walla Walla Valley where, with Winemaker Marty Clubb's blessing, he
began making small lots of Dunham wine. The first bottling was the 1995
Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon I. The first few vintages were released to great
acclaim, and in 1999, Eric convinced his parents to help him launch Dunham
Cellars in a World War II airplane hangar in Walla Walla.
Since then, Dunham Cellars has become one of the most celebrated wineries
in the region. In 2004, the Dunham family invited David and Cheryll Blair to
join them as winery co-owners, providing additional capital for future growth.
Eric's passing in 2014, a year and a half after his father succumbed to his fight
with kidney cancer, left the winery in the hands of his step-mother, Joanne
Dunham, and the Blairs. Along with the rest of the Dunham Cellars winery
family, Joanne and the Blairs continue Eric's vision of crafting consistently
exceptional wines. The experience has also prompted the winery to give back
to the community through various charitable events throughout the year.
FACING PAGE: Founding owner, Joanne Dunham spends
her time event planning along with marketing for the winery.
Accompanied by her faithful companions Maysy and Sadie.
Photograph by Cindy Anderson
ABOVE: Established in 1995, this family-owned winery in
Walla Walla, produces ultra-premium wines with a tradition
of excellence.
Photograph by Keven Peck
