Former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe has announced the launch of Doubleback, a new, estate-focused winery that will produce an ultra-premium red wine from fruit sourced from Washington’s Walla Walla Valley.
The focus for Doubleback will be on wine quality, Bledsoe said, and to that end he has enlisted winemaker Chris Figgins of Leonetti Cellar and Figgins Enological as the consulting winemaker for Doubleback.
“Chris Figgins was at the top of my list when I started to think about the perfect collaborator for this project,” Bledsoe said. “Chris is recognized for producing top quality wines at Leonetti Cellar, as well as for his meticulous attention to detail in the vineyard. He is exactly the right fit for us.”
Bledsoe said he and Figgins are committed to using only the best viticulture and winemaking practices to ensure that Doubleback will be one of the best bottles of wine one could drink.
“When Drew first approached me about consulting on his wine project, it became obvious that he was committed to my key winemaking principles of having complete control over a world-class vineyard site,” Figgins said. “We both agree that the relentless pursuit of quality at all levels has to be paramount to any other goals.”
“Doubleback crushed fruit in 2007 and will release its first wine, an ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon, in 2010. The wine will be made with fruit from various well-known vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley.”
Bledsoe also noted his estate vineyard site, McQueen Vineyard, was planted in the spring of 2008 in the southern reaches of the Walla Walla Valley.
“The McQueen site is exceptional and located near some of the most famous vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley, including Seven Hills,” he said. “I’m confident that, over time, we will be able to develop it into a vineyard that can compare to any in the world.”
Bledsoe said he expects to build a winery at the vineyard site within the next several years.
