TASTING INTERVIEW WITH K VINTNERS’ BRENNON LEIGHTON

In this conversation with Brennon Leighton, vice president of winemaking and viticulture at K Vintners, James tastes and discusses several Washington vintages. Brennon talks about the processes leading up to the final product, and how certain environmental circumstances are reflected in the flavour and tannin maturity of their vintages. With gusto, he claims, "the '20 may be the best vintage I've ever been a part of." K Vintner recognises that Washington's environmental conditions are similar to that of France's Burgundy region, "within 1 degree Fahrenheit during the growing season, and sharing very close soil and drainage conditions. In fact, the 47ºN parallel runs right through both Pommard and the Golden West vineyard." While people usually think of pinot noir in the U.S., Brennon and his team want to change that, believing they have a lot to offer with the synergy of their Old World sensibilities and strong roots in the state.