The Inspired Intermedia digital book collection
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3 Long Shadows Vintners WALLA WALLA Long Shadows Vintners is a collection of seven ultra-premium Columbia Valley wines showcasing the viticultural excellence of the growing region. Founded in 2003 by Washington State wine visionary Allen Shoup, the founding principle behind Long Shadows was as simple as it was complex: recruit a cadre of the finest winemakers in the world, give each vintner access to Washington State's best grapes, and outfit a winery to accommodate a diverse group of winemakers' cellar specifications. The idea quickly sold itself, and from the beginning, Long Shadows' unique portfolio has been embraced by critics and consumers alike. The project is a continuation of Shoup's life-long ambition to highlight the world-class quality of Washington wines. Widely recognized as one of the founding fathers of the Washington wine industry, Shoup led Chateau Ste. Michelle and its affiliates for two decades. An entrepreneur at heart, he left the consortium in 2000 to begin working on his own project named for the "long shadows" cast by the iconic international winemakers Shoup brought to the state. Each winemaker uses Washington grapes to design a single wine reflective of the style for which he is best known. Central to the success of Long Shadows is Gilles Nicault, director of winemaking and viticulture. Based in Walla Walla, Nicault has led Long Shadows winemaking from the start. It is his job to oversee the daily operations of the winery and make sure each winemaker's vision and style is honored in the vineyard and the cellar. The French-born Nicault describes his work as the "dream job." His zest for life and continual curiosity fuel the creation of Long Shadows' diverse offerings. FACING PAGE: Washington wine visionary and Long Shadows founder Allen Shoup brought celebrated vintners from around the globe to the Columbia Valley to showcase the viticultural excellence of the growing region. Photograph by Joann Arruda - THE TASTING PANEL ABOVE: Long Shadows' state-of-the-art winery is located in the rolling hills of the Walla Walla Valley. Photograph by Jack von Eberstein