Reserved for connoisseurs of the extraordinary, your membership unlocks unparalleled access to a realm where rarity, exquisite taste, and magical craftsmanship converge. Revel in the exclusivity and the assurance that each sip is a tribute to the unique experiences our winemaking team has meticulously crafted, ensuring you’re among the select few to savor these rare and enchanting offerings.
The 2024 growing season opened with one of the coldest winter events we’ve seen in years—mid‑January dropped to negative five and held there. Bud damage was real, and with the harvest uncertain, we left extra buds at pruning, hoping to give the vines every chance they’d take. Then the year shifted. April and May came in warm and dry, almost as if the valley was making up for winter’s blow, giving us clean, confident conditions. Summer followed with steady heat—nothing excessive—setting us up for a September and October that was ideal. Harvest rolled in under clear skies and cool nights, letting us pick exactly when the fruit hit its ideal flavor profile. Despite the drama of winter, the growing degree days settled right on the long‑term average. Yields depended on site, but every vineyard gave us fruit—something that felt a bit like luck and a bit like resilience. The 2024 wines carry that energy: structure, depth, and a balanced line of acidity that keeps everything focused.
As I write this, we’re in the final stretch of harvest, with our last fruit expected to arrive by October 16th. It’s been a busy few weeks in the cellar, and while we’re focused on finishing the 2026 vintage, I’m equally excited to share three wines from 2024 that we’ve been looking forward to releasing.
The 2024 growing season certainly kept us on our toes, starting with temperatures dipping to 17 below zero in January. Despite the challenges, our Founding Vineyard came through beautifully. The 2024 Founding Vineyard Merlot, sourced primarily from vines planted in 1982, is a great reminder of just how special these old vines are. A small addition of Cabernet Sauvignon brings another layer of structure and complexity.
Our 2024 Ciel du Cheval brings together Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. I love how these varieties complement one another, with Merlot bringing depth and generosity alongside the structure and character of the Cabernet varieties.
And then there’s 2024 Pentad, our flagship red blend. This is one we spend a lot of time getting just right, experimenting with different blends and revisiting them throughout barrel aging. It’s a powerful, structured wine with plenty of potential to evolve over the years.
These are three wines I’m really proud to share, and I hope you’ll enjoy discovering what makes each one unique. Better yet, join us at our Fall Release Open House or tune in for my Virtual Conversation via Zoom on December 10th. I’d love to talk more about the wines and hear what you think.
-Bobby Richards
Winemaker
2024 Pentad Red Wine $85 retail
Walla Walla Valley
The pinnacle of our winemaking portfolio, Pentad brings together five Bordeaux varieties from some of Walla Walla Valley’s most distinctive vineyard sites. Cabernet Sauvignon provides the structure and depth, while Merlot from our historic Founding Vineyard lends richness and generosity. Malbec adds a juicy, rounded texture, Cabernet Franc contributes vibrant red fruit and savory spice, and Petit Verdot brings concentration and a long, structured finish.
Aged for 20 months in 50% new French oak, the 2024 Pentad is a bold, layered wine with remarkable depth, balanced acidity, and firm, age-worthy tannins. Enjoy its youthful intensity with a generous decant or cellar it to discover the elegance and complexity that unfold with time. The 2024 is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 13% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot
Deep garnet in color, this wine opens with expressive aromas of black plum, ripe blackberry, and black currant, layered with notes of cedar, sweet tobacco, leather, vanilla, and warm baking spices. The palate is rich and elegantly structured, delivering vibrant Bing cherry, plum, and dark berry flavors framed by velvety tannins and bright acidity. Hints of dusty cocoa and savory earth add depth and complexity, leading to a long, persistent finish. While approachable in its youth, this wine will continue to evolve beautifully through 2032 and beyond. Pair with grilled ribeye, smoked beef brisket, or herb-crusted lamb chops for a memorable dining experience.
2024 Ciel du Cheval, Red Wine $65 retail
Red Mountain
Rooted in the heart of Red Mountain, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard has been producing exceptional fruit since 1975. Its sandy loam and calcareous soils, combined with the warmth of Washington’s smallest AVA, give this Bordeaux-style blend its distinctive character, balancing power and concentration with elegance and finesse.
The 2024 vintage brings together Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, each contributing to the wine’s depth and complexity. Cabernet Sauvignon provides a structured foundation, while Merlot lends richness and a generous mouthfeel. Cabernet Franc introduces aromatic spice and savory nuances, complemented by Petit Verdot’s firm tannins and vibrant acidity.
Aged for 20 months in 50% new French oak, this expressive red offers impressive structure, depth, and balanced acidity. Enjoy it with a generous decant or cellar it to discover the additional complexity that develops with time. The blend is 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 18% Petit Verdot.
Deep garnet in color, this wine opens with aromas reminiscent of a cedar chest filled with ripe black cherries, plum, and vanilla, accented by subtle notes of cracked pepper, clove, and fresh sage. Richly textured and supple on the palate, rustic yet well-integrated tannins provide structure to layers of ripe black cherry, black currant, and plum, complemented by hints of dried herbs and leather. Balanced and expressive, this wine will continue to develop beautifully over the coming years and may be cellared for up to 15 years. Pair with grilled ribeye steak, rosemary-roasted root vegetables, braised beef cheeks, or wild mushroom risotto.
2024 Founding Vineyard Merlot $55 retail
Walla Walla Valley
Rooted in the history of Seven Hills Winery, our Founding Vineyard is home to some of the oldest producing Merlot vines in Walla Walla Valley, planted in 1982. These remarkable old vines have helped establish the region’s reputation for exceptional Merlot, producing wines celebrated for their elegance, structure, and distinctive character.
Despite the challenges of the 2024 growing season, including an unusually cold January, our Founding Vineyard emerged remarkably well, delivering fruit with impressive depth and complexity. Composed of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon from our historic 1980 planting, this vintage reflects the enduring quality of these established vines. Aged for 20 months in 50% new French oak, the wine captures both the heritage of the vineyard and the remarkable potential of Walla Walla Valley Merlot.
Medium ruby in color, this wine opens with pronounced aromas of fresh red raspberry and muddled blackberry layered with notes of new leather and freshly toasted baking spices. The palate is lush yet structured, with bright acidity and flavors of black raspberry and red cherry accented by hints of semisweet dark chocolate. Fine-grained tannins provide
length and persistence, lingering gracefully on the finish. Its medium body and balanced acidity make this a versatile food-pairing wine. Enjoy it alongside aged Gouda or Manchego, roasted pork tenderloin with herb seasoning, or seared duck breast with a cherry gastrique. For a vegetarian option, pair it with wild mushroom risotto. To finish, try it with 60% dark chocolate for a complementary dessert experience. Approachable upon release, this wine will continue to develop beautifully over the next 10+ years.
Join us for a high-energy, communal celebration centered around our flagship Pentad blend.
Join us at the winery for one of the most anticipated weekends of the year.
Uncork your favorite Seven Hills wine and join Winemaker Bobby Richards for a reflective look at the 2026 harvest. From cellar to barrel, discover the stories, challenges, and early promise shaping the next Walla Walla Valley vintage.
For more information or to reorder these wines:
Please contact us at INFO@SEVENHILLSWINERY.COM or 509-593-6226