Leonetti Cellar Announces Expansion Into Exceptional Wine and Food Experiences With Launch of Figgins Family Wine Estates

WALLA WALLA, Wash., April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The owners of Walla Walla's oldest and most esteemed winery, Leonetti Cellar, announced today the formation of a new management company, Figgins Family Wine Estates (FFWE), www.figginsfamily.com.  The new company will manage a collection of exceptional, sustainable wine and food brands, including the world-class Leonetti Cellar, as well as a new single vineyard estate wine, FIGGINS, and for the first time, Lostine Cattle Company, grass-fed beef to create a "whole table" experience.

Chris Figgins, CEO/Director of Winemaking of Leonetti Cellar and the newly formed Figgins Family Wine Estates, is leading the charge for the next generation of the critically acclaimed family winery, originally bonded in 1977 by his parents, Gary and Nancy Figgins.  Chris' goal is to stay true to the family philosophy of winemaking and maintain total control over the cultivation process from start to finish.  FFWE is dedicated to growing, producing and marketing wine and food of world-class quality, sustainability and pedigree.

"This new management company will allow us to thoughtfully extend our passion for the finest wine and food experiences and share them with our customers," says Chris Figgins.  "Each brand will reflect the deep sense of place and connection to our land that inspires us on a daily basis. We are fundamentally focused on the relentless pursuit of quality above all, but that cannot happen without a foundation of sustainability.  It's a win-win for both our customers and FFWE."

Following in the family's winemaking tradition, FFWE is planning the introduction of an exciting new wine venture – FIGGINS. This estate grown, single vineyard Bordeaux varietal blend from the 32 acre FIGGINS site in the Walla Walla Valley AVA will be available in the fall of 2011. The vineyard was planted in 2004 and due to the size of the site the production of FIGGINS will be limited.

"We applied everything that we've learned from Leonetti—and more—to FIGGINS.  This wine is from a very special site in Walla Walla, and we believe that those who appreciate wines with complexity and substance will be very pleased with our newest offering.  We believe it will be a perfect cellar complement to our single varietal Leonetti Cellar wines."

To enjoy a priority allocation of FIGGINS, visit www.figginswine.com, to join the mailing list and receive future correspondence and offerings.

Figgins Family Wine Estate will also make a move from fine wine to exceptional food, with the introduction of the Lostine Cattle Company.  FFWE's goal is to apply its vertically integrated, environmentally sensitive, wine growing philosophy to raising all-natural 100% grass-fed beef.

"Through winemaking, I've gained comprehensive soil, biological and organic knowledge – principles that apply directly to grass, and therefore animal health," said Figgins.  "Just as we have the finest estate vineyards for our wines, we also have the finest grass "terroir" in the West for our cattle. Our goal is to provide a "whole table" experience that our customers can trust to be the very best in quality and sustainability."

Lostine Cattle Company's Scottish Highland Cattle breed free range in the Wallowa Valley, a sister valley to Walla Walla that resides just on the other side of the Blue Mountains from Walla Walla. Lostine Cattle Company is currently testing a pommace (a natural winemaking by-product) finish on the beef with the goal to make it the ultimate paring with FFWE wines.  Lostine Cattle Company's grass-fed beef will be sold direct to consumers who are on the Lostine Cattle Company mailing list and will be available in fall of 2010 via pre-allocated orders.  To learn more or join the mailing list visit:  www.lostinecattlecompany.com.

For more information about Figgins Family Wine Estates, visit www.figginsfamily.com.

About Chris Figgins

Driven by the entrepreneurial spirit his parents instilled in him at a very young age and his quest for perfection, Chris Figgins, CEO and Director of Winemaking for Figgins Family Wine Estates (FFWE), is leading the charge for the next generation. One of a small handful of second generation winegrowers in Washington State, succeeding his parents, Nancy and Gary, who founded Leonetti Cellar winery in 1977 in the Walla Walla Valley.  Chris joined Leonetti in 1996 after graduating from Washington State University with a degree in Horticulture. Chris has been instrumental in transforming Leonetti into an estate grown property and in addition to his other duties, he continues to preside over all viticulture operations for FFWE's four distinct vineyard sites with another under development, in SeVein Vineyards of Distinction.

Because of their consistent high quality, Leonetti wines are some of the most sought after American wines in the world, and Chris is known industry-wide for constantly pushing the envelope viticulturally in pursuit of keeping them that way. A frequent public speaker, Chris shares his intense passion for sustainable farming and soil health with other viticulturists and diversified farmers whenever possible.

SOURCE Leonetti Cellar