The idea started in the fall of 2007.  We were offered the balance of the Cabernet Franc from a source on the Wahluke Slope. The quality of the Franc in 2007 was excellent, so rather than taking a lesser tonnage as we had contracted, we ended up taking the balance of what was available from the vineyard which amounted to about 13 tons of fruit.  In past vintages we used Cabernet Franc only to a small degree in the winery and simply to finish our Cabernet and Merlot wines.  In truth, the story actually begins earlier that year when I tried a wine produced by a great friend and talented winemaker Gordy Venneri of Walla Walla Vintners.  In 2007 they had released a 2005 Washington State Cuvee, that was predominantly Cabernet Franc.  The wine was delicious.

Fast-forward to the spring of 2009.  I sat down to put our 2007 blends together.  We had WAY too much Cabernet Franc.  We also at the time sold only varietal wines.  The perfect set of circumstances had set themselves right, and came together to set the table for Revelry's first blended wine; 'The Reveler' was born.  Not only had ‘The Reveler' arrived, It was a smashing success.  The entire 1,600 case production-a lofty amount by my thinking-was scooped up in just six weeks!

Somewhere during the course of 2008 we came up with the idea to wipe the slate clean and in an effort to keep the wine exciting-for both us as wine producers, as well as for the customer-we determined the blend would be a rotating one.  We also decided that as much as possible we would continue to highlight the lesser used traditional Bordeaux blending varietals (i.e. Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec) as the featured grapes in our blend.  So in 2008 we brought in Petit Verdot to take the spotlight in the next vintage-the current vintage-increasing production by only 200 cases from the year previous.  

The blend has taken on a life of its own, and has developed a following ever anxious for the next release.  We are now retaining about 50 cases from each vintage so that we will be able to release verticals in years forward.

Just one week ago we pulled the cover off of our 2009 release of ‘The Reveler,' and it is undeniably the best ever. This go around Cabernet Franc is back in the drivers' seat at 36%, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon at 36% and 28% respectively. The wine is lush and full with an extraordinarily long finish.

Available for purchase now online, over the phone, or at the winery.  Also check out a local retailer by clicking on 'The Revelator' link.