{"id":5,"name":"Devona","image_url":"https://streetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com/v1/thumbnail?panoid=6KPIPn6nceNQpM6n9c91Ug&cb_client=search.gws-prod.gps&w=408&h=240&yaw=131.37462&pitch=0&thumbfov=100","district":"Airport","hours":"Event Weekends only. email molly@devona.net","hours_type":"limited","dog_friendly":false,"red_wine":true,"white_wine":true,"bubbles":true,"brewery":false,"woman_owned":false,"year_established":2019,"winemaker":"John Abbott","website":"http://www.devona.net/","phone":"+1 509-540-1884","address":"700 C St, Walla Walla, WA 99362, United States","description":"Veteran vintners John and Molly left Canoe Ridge and Abeja to craft Devona, focusing on elegant Pinot Noir and cellar‑only tastings; their tiny 1,000‑case output honors decades of Walla Walla passion","lat":46.0913303,"lng":-118.2722275,"appt_url":"https://www.devona.net/contact","walk_in":false,"tasting_fee":null,"explorer_tags":["bold reds","lighter reds","knowledge"],"profile":"# Devona Winery — Knowledge Profile\n\n## Founding Story\n\nDevona is the third winery created by John Abbott and his partner, representing the culmination of a winemaking journey that spans decades and multiple states. Their interest in wine first emerged while both were students at Oregon State University, where Oregon Pinot Noir — particularly the landmark vintages of 1984, 1985, and 1986 that helped establish Oregon's reputation — captured their attention and redirected the course of their careers.\n\nAfter John studied viticulture and enology at Fresno State University, the couple worked in California before being drawn into Washington State's nascent wine industry. That trajectory led to the founding of two highly regarded wineries: Canoe Ridge Vineyard, which was the seventh winery in the Walla Walla Valley and the first established with outside influence (through the Chalone Wine Group), and later Abeja, co-created with Ken and Ginger Harrison, which became a recognized leader in Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. After ten years with Canoe Ridge Vineyard and thirteen years with Abeja, John and his partner launched Devona as their most focused, intentional, and personally driven project to date. Production is deliberately small — fewer than 1,000 cases annually — reflecting a philosophy of ever-increasing specialization with each successive venture.\n\n## Winemaker\n\nJohn Abbott is the winemaker at Devona. His career path is unusually rich and grounded in both classical training and hands-on experience across multiple celebrated wineries. He studied viticulture and enology at Fresno State University after initially pursuing a pre-veterinary track at Oregon State. He went on to work at Pine Ridge Winery in California, where he developed expertise in high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, followed by a pivotal tenure at the renowned Acacia Winery in the Napa Valley, where he deepened his understanding of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.\n\nHis Washington State career began in the early 1990s when he was recruited to help build what became Canoe Ridge Vineyard, relocating permanently to Walla Walla in 1994. That winery earned early recognition for Washington Merlot. His subsequent work at Abeja helped cement that winery's reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. At Devona, Abbott is supported by Assistant Winemaker Enrique Ibarra; together with a small part-time team including industry veterans Anne Hull and Patty Lynch, they constitute the entire operation. Abbott's overarching philosophy embraces increasing specialization and smaller production with each project, prioritizing quality and personal connection to the wines over scale.\n\n## Vineyard Sources\n\nDevona sources fruit from a select group of vineyards that John Abbott describes as long-standing favorites, many of which he has worked with for many years. Named vineyard sources include **Bacchus** and **Dionysus**, as well as fruit sourced from **The Gorge** region. These sites inform Devona's production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. The winery is also actively exploring some newer vineyard sources. No specific details regarding soil types, elevations, or certified farming practices are provided in the available text.\n\n## Signature Wines\n\nDevona's portfolio reflects the dual passions of its founders. The winery produces **Pinot Noir** — the varietal John Abbott describes as one he has long been fascinated by but had not previously had the opportunity to work with extensively — representing a significant personal and creative focus at Devona. Alongside Pinot Noir, the winery continues to produce **Cabernet Sauvignon**, **Merlot**, and **Chardonnay**, varieties that have defined Abbott's career in Washington State and for which he maintains deep affinity. No individual wine names beyond varietal designations are provided in the available text.\n\n## Tasting Room\n\nDevona's tastings take place in the winery's cellar. The team places strong emphasis on creating a visitor experience that is described as welcoming, comfortable, special, and informative. Part-time staff Anne Hull and Patty Lynch assist during the visitor season. No specific hours or additional location details beyond the general Walla Walla setting are provided in the available text.\n\n## Winery Character\n\nWhat distinguishes Devona within the Walla Walla Valley wine community is the extraordinary depth of experience behind it. John Abbott is among a small number of winemakers who have played a direct role in shaping the valley's identity from its earliest days — as part of the founding team at both Canoe Ridge Vineyard and Abeja, two wineries with outsized influence on Washington State's reputation. Devona represents both a homecoming to the Pinot Noir that first inspired Abbott's career and a refinement of everything learned across three decades. Its sub-1,000-case production, intimate cellar tasting experience, and tightly focused team reflect a winery built entirely around craft, relationships, and the pursuit of wines that carry genuine personal meaning.","somm_notes":[{"title":"Patti's notes on Devona","content":"One of the most talented winemakers in Washington, John has been crafting beautiful wines since the '90s. He's well known for his excellent Pinots, but my personal favorite is his Merlot."}],"wines":[{"name":"Chardonnay, White Salmon Vineyard","vintage":"2024","variety":"Chardonnay","price":"$40.00"},{"name":"Pinot Noir, Palmer Creek Vineyard","vintage":"2023","variety":"Pinot Noir","price":"$50.00"},{"name":"Pinot Noir, Mount Richmond Vineyard","vintage":"2023","variety":"Pinot Noir","price":"$50.00"},{"name":"Chardonnay, Rainmaker Vineyard","vintage":"2023","variety":"Chardonnay","price":"$40.00"},{"name":"Chardonnay, Rainmaker Vineyard","vintage":"2022","variety":"Chardonnay","price":"$40.00"},{"name":"Pinot Noir, Mount Richmond Vineyard","vintage":"2022","variety":"Pinot Noir","price":"$50.00"},{"name":"Merlot, Bacchus Vineyard","vintage":"2022","variety":"Merlot","price":"$50.00"},{"name":"Merlot, Champoux Vineyard","vintage":"2022","variety":"Merlot","price":"$50.00"},{"name":"Pinot Noir, Oregon State","vintage":"2021","variety":"Pinot Noir","price":"$28.00"},{"name":"Cabernet Sauvignon, Bacchus Vineyard","vintage":"2019","variety":"Cabernet Sauvignon","price":"$70"}],"patti":null,"visitor_ratings":[{"source":"google","rating":5.0,"count":14}],"sample_reviews":[],"critic_scores":[{"wine_name":"'Freedom Hill Vineyard' Pinot Noir","vintage":2022,"score":95,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Champoux Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":2018,"score":95,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Bacchus Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":2018,"score":95,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Heart Of The Hill Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":2018,"score":95,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Heart Of The Hill Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":2017,"score":95,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Champoux Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":2016,"score":95,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Bacchus Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":2016,"score":95,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Mount Richmond Vineyard' Pinot Noir","vintage":2022,"score":94,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Bacchus Vineyard' Merlot","vintage":2020,"score":94,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Washington State' Chardonnay","vintage":2018,"score":94,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Mount Richmond Vineyard' Pinot Noir","vintage":2018,"score":94,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Bacchus Vineyard' Merlot","vintage":2017,"score":94,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'White Salmon Vineyard Chardonnay","vintage":2022,"score":93,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Rainmaker Vineyard' Chardonnay","vintage":2022,"score":93,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"'Freedom Hill Vineyard' Chardonnay","vintage":2018,"score":93,"source":"Owen Bargreen","critic":"Owen Bargreen","tasting_note":null}],"community_scores":[{"wine_name":"Bacchus Vineyard Merlot","vintage":2016,"score":94,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.4/5 (26 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":null,"score":95,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.5/5 (34 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Mount Richmond Vineyard Pinot Noir","vintage":null,"score":93,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.3/5 (72 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Bacchus Vineyard Merlot","vintage":null,"score":93,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.3/5 (60 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Bacchus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":null,"score":93,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.3/5 (53 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir","vintage":null,"score":92,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.2/5 (167 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Freedom Hill Vineyard Chardonnay","vintage":null,"score":91,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.1/5 (33 ratings)"}],"events":[]}