In the glass, 7 March 2025

Brook & Bull wines from Washington state

Washington state wines for some reason have not played a major role in the Washington, D.C.-area market. I suspect that may be due to the travails the larger labels have had in recent years, and the small size of the artisanal wineries that are making the really good stuff.

So I was excited recently to have an opportunity to meet Ashley Trout, owner and winemaker at Brook & Bull in Walla Walla. Ashley was in town to launch her wines in only her second distribution market beyond the Pacific Northwest. Her first market was Missouri, where she says, “If you show up, they love you.” She chose to expand to D.C. because she grew up here and can combine the work with visits to her parents. Such decisions are not always made according to some grand marketing plan.

At Brook & Bull (so named for two types of trout, get it?), Ashley specializes in understated (as in not heavily oaked) varietal wines and blends that reflect the terroir of the Walla Walla area as well as the decade she spent working harvests in Mendoza, Argentina. Her wines aren’t flashy — they’re down-to-earth, honest, delicious and downright pleasant to share a meal with, just like their maker.

Brook & Bull owner-winemaker Ashley Trout (from brookandbull.com)

She also owns Vital Winery, a non-profit that promotes access to affordable healthcare for Walla Walla Valley vineyard and winery workers and their families. I’ll drink to that.

Brook & Bull wines are now distributed in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia markets by Artisans & Vines. They are also available from the winery website.

Brook & Bull Chardonnay 2022 Connor Lee Vineyard, Wahluke Slope ($39) Sleek and energetic, with fine balance and tension. Quite good. (12.8% abv).

Brook & Bull Come Hell or High Water 2021, Columbia Valley ($44) A Rhone-ish red blend of grenache, syrah, cabernet sauvignon and counoise. Juicy and exuberant with flavors of black and red fruits, trending toward Moroccan black olives. It carries its 15.1% abv well.

Brook & Bull Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Walla Walla Valley ($48) Blackberries and boysenberries on a magic carpet of silk, with just enough tannin on the finish to remind you to take another sip. (14.8% abv).

Brook & Bull Malbec 2022 Columbia Valley ($48) Trout’s work in Mendoza echoes through this wine, with blueberry and plum flavors moving across the palate in such harmony that it takes all the willpower I can muster to avoid making a cliché tango analogy. (14.7% abv)