{"id":33,"name":"Forgeron Cellars","image_url":"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipOEYInqHcu9wmW-Mcz2WpqBJkBSy_JCvKlEDMrX=w408-h306-k-no","district":"Downtown","hours":"Wednesday - 1pm - 5pm\nThursday, Friday & Saturday 1 - 6pm","hours_type":"limited","dog_friendly":true,"red_wine":true,"white_wine":true,"bubbles":false,"brewery":false,"woman_owned":false,"year_established":2001,"winemaker":null,"website":"http://www.forgeroncellars.com/","phone":"(509) 522-9463","address":"33 W Birch St, Walla Walla, WA 99362","description":"In an old blacksmith shop, Forgeron crafts small‑lot artisan wines, partnering with top growers since 2001 to let each vineyard speak","lat":46.063531,"lng":-118.3381919,"appt_url":"https://forgeroncellars.orderport.net/reservations","walk_in":false,"tasting_fee":"$20 per person and waived with a bottle purchase.","explorer_tags":[],"profile":"# Forgeron Cellars — Knowledge Profile\n\n## Founding Story\n\nForgeron Cellars was established in 2001 by more than two dozen local Walla Walla business leaders, many of whom had previously founded and sold Canoe Ridge Winery. The founding vision was twofold: to produce site-specific, small-lot artisan wines that showcase the diversity of Columbia Valley's viticultural appellations, and to help anchor and reinvigorate the downtown Walla Walla business district. The founders' search for a suitable location led them to a historic blacksmith building at 33 West Birch Street, just two blocks off Main Street. The building's heritage directly inspired the winery's name — *forgeron* is the French word for blacksmith. Following extensive renovations, the original structure was converted into a cozy tasting room and office space, while new construction added a dedicated barrel storage and fermentation building alongside a state-of-the-art crush facility.\n\n## Winemaker\n\nNo winemaker information was available in the scraped content at the time of this profile's creation.\n\n## Vineyard Sources\n\nForgeron Cellars sources fruit from an extensive network of fifteen contracted vineyards spread across multiple Washington State appellations, reflecting the winery's core mission of appellation diversity and site-specificity. The winery collaborates with growers who are focused on sustainability. Vineyard sources include:\n\n- **Alder Ridge Vineyard** – Horse Heaven Hills AVA\n- **Boushey Vineyard** – Yakima Valley AVA\n- **Crawford Vineyard** – Yakima Valley AVA\n- **Dionysus Vineyard** – Columbia Valley AVA\n- **Equinox Ridge Estate Vineyard** – Walla Walla Valley AVA\n- **Francisca's Vineyard** – Walla Walla Valley AVA\n- **French Creek Vineyard** – Yakima Valley AVA\n- **Gamache Vineyard** – Columbia Valley AVA\n- **Heart of the Hill Vineyard** – Walla Walla Valley AVA\n- **Lodmell Vineyard** – Columbia Valley AVA\n- **Minnick Hills Vineyard** – Walla Walla Valley AVA\n- **Sagemoor Vineyard** – Columbia Valley AVA\n- **Seven Hills Vineyard** – Walla Walla Valley AVA\n- **Stonetree Vineyard** – Wahluke Slope AVA\n- **Weinbau Vineyard** – Wahluke Slope AVA\n\nThe breadth of sourcing — spanning Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Wahluke Slope, and broader Columbia Valley — underscores the winery's philosophical commitment to expressing appellation diversity across its portfolio. The winery benefits from Eastern Washington's characteristic long hours of sunlight, warm days, and cool nights.\n\n## Signature Wines & Accolades\n\nForgeron produces wines under both its primary label and a secondary label called **Anvil by Forgeron**. Notable wines with critical recognition include:\n\n- **2021 Anvil by Forgeron Chardonnay** – Earned 92 points and Editor's Choice from *Wine Enthusiast*\n- **2018 Anvil by Forgeron Cabernet Sauvignon** – Received 90 points from *Wine Enthusiast* and 90 points from *Vinous*\n- **2019 Forgeron Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon** – Received 90 points from *Wine Enthusiast* and 90 points from *Vinous*\n\nCustomer reviews highlight Viognier and Barbera as wines that have made a strong impression on visitors. The portfolio is described by guests as offering a \"very drinkable and fruit forward variety of reds.\"\n\n## Tasting Room\n\nForgeron Cellars operates a downtown Walla Walla urban tasting room housed within the renovated historic blacksmith building. The space is described as cozy and offers what the winery calls a \"Classic Tasting Experience.\" The tasting room features a pet-friendly patio, where staff have been noted for thoughtful hospitality gestures such as providing umbrellas and water for visiting dogs. Current hours are Tuesday by appointment only, Wednesday from 1:00–5:00 pm, and Thursday through Saturday from 1:00–6:00 pm, with the tasting room closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations can be made in advance.\n\n## Wine Club\n\nForgeron Cellars offers an exclusive wine club with member-only perks, marketed as joining the \"Forgeron Cellars Family.\" Specific club tiers, pricing, allocation details, and pickup event information were not detailed in the available content.\n\n## Winery Character\n\nForgeron Cellars occupies a distinctive position in the Walla Walla wine scene as a true urban winery with deep community roots. Its founding by former Canoe Ridge Winery entrepreneurs gave it an experienced foundation from the outset, and its location in a converted 19th-century blacksmith shop gives it an authentic sense of place and history. The winery's philosophy holds that great winemaking begins in the vineyard, and it adheres to traditional techniques while embracing modern innovation. With over two decades of operation, a portfolio spanning multiple Washington appellations, and an accessible downtown location, Forgeron Cellars positions itself as both a serious wine producer and a welcoming destination for visitors to the Walla Walla Valley.","somm_notes":[{"title":"Patti's notes on Forgeron","content":"Since 2001, Forgeron has been crafting quality wines-and it's a great spot to explore a variety of varietals without breaking the bank. My personal favorite? The Barbera."}],"wines":[{"name":"Pink Rabbits Rosé","vintage":"2023","variety":"Rosé","price":"$20.00"},{"name":"Anvil by Forgeron Chardonnay, French Creek","vintage":"2022","variety":"Chardonnay","price":"$38.00"},{"name":"Pink Rabbits Rosé of Pinot Noir","vintage":"2022","variety":"Rosé","price":"$20.00"},{"name":"Otherworldly Chardonnay","vintage":"2022","variety":"Chardonnay","price":"$20.00"},{"name":"Forgeron Cellars Grenache","vintage":"2021","variety":"Grenache","price":"$25.00"},{"name":"Anvil by Forgeron Proprietary Blend","vintage":"2021","variety":"Red Blend","price":"$45.00"},{"name":"Anvil by Forgeron Chardonnay, French Creek Vineyard","vintage":"2021","variety":"Chardonnay","price":"$38.00"},{"name":"Imaginarium Red Blend","vintage":"2021","variety":"Red Blend","price":"$25.00"},{"name":"Forgeron Cellars Syrah","vintage":"2020","variety":"Syrah","price":"$25.00"},{"name":"Forgeron Cellars Grenache","vintage":"2020","variety":"Grenache","price":"$25.00"},{"name":"Anvil by Forgeron Proprietary Blend","vintage":"2020","variety":"Red Blend","price":"$45.00"},{"name":"Anvil by Forgeron Syrah","vintage":"2020","variety":"Syrah","price":"$45.00"},{"name":"Otherworldly Chardonnay","vintage":"2020","variety":"Chardonnay","price":"$20.00"},{"name":"Forgeron Cellars Grenache","vintage":"2019","variety":"Grenache","price":"$25.00"},{"name":"Anvil by Forgeron Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":"2019","variety":"Cabernet Sauvignon","price":"$45.00"},{"name":"Anvil by Forgeron Proprietary Blend","vintage":"2019","variety":"Red Blend","price":"$45.00"},{"name":"Anvil by Forgeron Syrah","vintage":"2019","variety":"Syrah","price":"$45.00"},{"name":"Forgeron Cellars Late Harvest Orange Muscat","vintage":"2018","variety":"Orange Muscat","price":"$38.00"},{"name":"Anvil by Forgeron Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":"2018","variety":"Cabernet Sauvignon","price":"$45.00"},{"name":"Anvil by Forgeron Syrah","vintage":"2018","variety":"Syrah","price":"$45.00"},{"name":"Anvil by Forgeron Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":"2017","variety":"Cabernet Sauvignon","price":"$45.00"}],"patti":null,"visitor_ratings":[{"source":"google","rating":4.8,"count":41},{"source":"tripadvisor","rating":4.6,"count":10},{"source":"yelp","rating":4.3,"count":16}],"sample_reviews":[],"critic_scores":[],"community_scores":[{"wine_name":"Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":2014,"score":92,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.2/5 (34 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Chardonnay","vintage":2013,"score":91,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.1/5 (35 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Façon Rouge GSM","vintage":2013,"score":91,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.1/5 (29 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Anvil Cabernet Sauvignon Dionysus","vintage":null,"score":94,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.4/5 (82 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"French Creek Vineyard Anvil Chardonnay","vintage":null,"score":94,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.4/5 (33 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Anvil Minnick Hills Vineyard Proprietary Blend","vintage":null,"score":93,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.3/5 (107 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Anvil Boushey Vineyard Syrah","vintage":null,"score":93,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.3/5 (30 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Boushey Vineyards Syrah","vintage":null,"score":92,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.2/5 (46 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Anvil Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":null,"score":92,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.2/5 (31 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Stonetree Vineyard Malbec","vintage":null,"score":91,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.1/5 (32 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Mourvédre","vintage":null,"score":91,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.1/5 (30 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":null,"score":90,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.0/5 (295 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Zinfandel","vintage":null,"score":90,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.0/5 (95 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Façon Rouge GSM","vintage":null,"score":90,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.0/5 (93 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Syrah","vintage":null,"score":90,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.0/5 (34 ratings)"}],"events":[{"title":"Hang Out Like A Local Saturday Afternoons - July 20","start_date":"2027-07-20","start_time":null,"url":"https://forgeroncellars.com/hang-like-a-local","is_members_only":false}]}