To merely state that Lauri and Mike Corliss are wine enthusiasts doesn’t justify their immense passion for the love of the grape. As owners and developers
of Corliss Vineyard in Walla Walla, Wash., the couple is engrossed in every juicy detail, thoughtfully funneling the company’s philosophy of patience, teamwork, dedication, and flavor into every bottle. It’s the vibrant images of people, families, and friends celebrating their favorite moments with their wines in hand that motivates them year over year, whether in their creation of the traditional richness of Corliss wines or the progressive tastes of Tranche wines.

Mike Corliss was educated in winemaking at a very young age. As a fourth generation Washingtonian, he well understood the potential of the soil content in the Red Mountain area, which eventually became its own American Viticultural Area (AVA). He developed a long-term perspective, instigating patience and perfection, and set out to build a multigenerational business within which his family could celebrate sweet success for many years to come.

Growing their grapes through sustainable farming methods in the renowned subappellations of Red Mountain, Walla Walla, Yakima Valleys, and the Columbia Gorge in Washington State, Corliss Vineyards’ staff personally handpicks and sorts each varietal. A small portion of the very best grapes are then set aside and reserved to make Corliss Wines; the rest continue their journey on to a select group of award-winning Washington wineries. The couple’s tried-and-true formula for memorable wines is simple: Start with sun, soil, and carefully tended fruit; add expertly crafted blends to meticulously selected barrels, and throw in the magical ingredients of patience and time. “Extra time in a bottle inside our temperature-controlled cellar allows each finished wine to meld, evolve, and mature,” Lauri reveals.
“Each element contributes to the complexity of the aroma, flavor, texture, and finish. This is the gold standard, the creative vision, and the hallmark of every Corliss wine.”

Lauri and Mike have left their impression for all time on the fruitful and continuing history of the southern Washington Columbia Valley wine regions. They use the same winemaking team at both Corliss Estates (which has three distinct vineyards) and at their separate sister winery, Tranche Cellars.

Red Mountain Vineyards
“Red Mountain has more than justified its reputation as the epicenter for growing great red wine grapes in Washington,” says Mike. The portfolio consists of nearly 350 acres of acclaimed AVA vineyard property, making it a picturesque and fertile home to a wide variety of grapes that people love to sip in those big, bold reds. “The mountain’s elevation, slopes, desert-like climate, and complex soils make it a perfect laboratory for red wine viticulture,” he adds.

The couple purchased their first Red Mountain vineyard parcel in 2007. These 33 acres, originally planted in 1989, produced a bountiful harvest of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. “Our land sits in the sweet spot that is referred to as ‘the tenderloin,’” explains Lauri, “because the fruit has historically produced some of the finest wines from Washington.”

In 2009, the couple acquired an additional 139 acres. The first vines went in on southwest slopes at elevations climbing to 1,500 feet. The rows were oriented to shade the fruit from too much sun and were angled to allow proper airflow, which prevented cold air from pooling (a frost hazard) when the temperature drops. “We planted 56 acres, predominately to Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot), with smaller amounts of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault,” continues Lauri.

Acquired in 2012, the third vineyard parcel of 174 acres sits adjacent to the second and holds plantings of rarely seen Nebbiolo as well as 30-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon. Numerous other red and white varieties are also in the ground. Once evaluated for quality and health, they too will have a mouthwatering Red Mountain future.

Blackrock Vineyard
Blackrock Vineyard is a stone’s throw from Red Mountain on the eastern edge of the Yakima Valley AVA. Since 1998, the couple has planted a total of 50 acres. Over the course of more than 15 years, they’ve been thrilled to discover that a wide spectrum of grapes will flourish on the site.

Similar to Red Mountain with its steep slopes and range of soils, it yields a remarkable wine list in the making. From favorite Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Merlot) and blendable Rhône varietals (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Counoise) to the more unusual Mediterranean varietals (Dolcetto and Barbera from Italy and Tempranillo from Spain), each finds its own way to thrive across the same location, affording the couple a wealth of opportunity.

Blue Mountain Estates
Corliss’s Blue Mountain Vineyard is a breathtaking, 180-acre site currently planted to 54 acres with a tempting array of red and white varietals. Cooler than Red Mountain, the Blue Mountain vineyard produces less tannic wines with fruit-driven flavors.

The first vines went into the ground in 2001 – a mix of Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot), Rhône varietals (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre) and Mediterranean (Sangiovese). In 2009, 12 acres of white Rhône grapes were planted (Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne, Picpoul, Grenache Blanc, and Clairette Blanche) to support the production of Tranche Cellars’ estate-grown, “Slice of Pape Blanc.”

In 2014, 20 more acres were planted on the site and the couple is currently developing another 40 acres that will be planted in 2016.

Celilo Vineyard
In July 2015, Mike and Lauri added the Celilo Vineyard to their real estate portfolio. Celilo has long been considered the finest white wine vineyard in Washington state. In 1972, it was converted from a pear orchard to vineyards by the McAndrews family, who had been the sole owners until now. The property consists of 129 acres of land with 53 acres of dry-farmed vineyard planted to Chardonnay, Gewurtraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Gruner Veltliner, Lemberger, and Muller Thurgau. Soils from the extinct volcanic cone of Underwood Mountain can be as deep as 45 feet and retain moisture well, allowing Celilo Vineyards to survive without irrigation. The deep-rooted vines bring a mineral characteristic to Celilo’s wines along with higher acidity giving them Burgundian characteristics. At an elevation ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet, the vineyard is considered sub-alpine, sitting on a cusp of wetter maritime weather to the west and the high desert to the east. The Corliss’ seek to update the vineyard management to modern standards, continue to develop the property, and supply world-class fruit to the thriving Pacific Northwest wine community.

Tranche Cellars
Tranche, a French term meaning “slice,” refers in this case to exploring a broadening range of estate-grown Mediterranean and Rhone-inspired varietal wines and blends. At Tranche Cellars, the team has cultivated a diverse collection of some of the world’s most interesting grape varietals. Practicing sustainable viticulture, their careful technique of hand-farming each block harvests very low yields of intensely flavored fruit – resulting in a cutting-edge brand that has become an excellent counterpart to the classic Corliss wines. Mike sums up the product with ease: “Expressive, aromatic, beautifully defined varietal wines and blends.” “A taste of Tranche is a slice of life,” exudes Mike. “The life of the place, the vines, the people who make the wines, and most of all drink them – we have given our lives over to making every bottle worthy of your attention.”

Winter Escapes
The Corliss family has lived at BIGHORN for 15 years, enabling their five kids to grow up in the desert while the vines lay dormant for the winter. Now ranging in age from 20 to 27, the youngest will soon be graduating from college, and two have followed in the family business. Their oldest daughter works as a Hospitality Manager for a Sonoma Valley winery while their middle daughter works for a wine distributor in Hong Kong. Their BIGHORN home worked perfectly for their active family with the mountains nearby for hiking and their cantilevered entertainment patio presiding over the valley below – the locale of many happy family occasions.

“BIGHORN is our happy place” shares Lauri. “Here we have the flexibility to be as social or as private as the moment requires for us. When we leave we are rested, revived, and ready for a more hectic pace. Life at BIGHORN is indescribably invaluable.”

Built and designed by friend and fellow BIGHORN Member Mike Fedderly 15 years ago, the organic elements of the house blend flawlessly with the homeowners’ philosophy and their love for the land. From rock outcroppings and meandering streams to an ethereal elevated master bedroom, the design has a supremely natural ebb and flow that extends all the way downstairs. As one descends the staircase, a fountain trickles into a cavernous basin. Rock walls ascend alongside the hand-crafted staircase railing revealing a billiards room, game table, wet bar, and fully stocked wine cellar, plus two guest suites. Here, the family has spent many nights watching television, playing games, and celebrating the simplest moments of being together.

As the home’s designer and fellow wine enthusiast, Mike Fedderly became close friends with Lauri and Mike, introducing the couple to wines from all over the world along the way. They saved his favorite wine, a La Tache Burgundy, for a very special birthday, making the evening one to remember.

The harmonious results of the Corliss family living at BIGHORN match the intensity and the characteristics of their favorite wines – refined and flavorful with beautiful delineation of detail and the richness and structure to improve with every year.