ESTABLISHED 2018

Echolands Winery was created in 2018 by two Kansas City residents, Brad Bergman and Doug Frost MS, MW, who believed in the Walla Walla Valley AVA’s ability to offer a distinctive style of wine. Along with winemaker/general manager Brian Rudin, Echolands is focused upon crafting responsibly produced wines that reflect the potential for elegance and balance from this singular place. 

The team is focused upon caring for its vineyards and land through regenerative organic viticulture. We seek to amplify the echo of the land and of the grapevines in every bottle made. Our philosophy is that winemaking can’t be anything more than a subtle shaping of that sound; we cannot create qualities that are not there in the grapes.

BECOMING ECHOLANDS

  • 80's-90's

    DOUG’S CAREER IN WINE

    1986- Doug first travels to Walla Walla to visit Woodward Canyon and Leonetti. As a Missouri wholesaler, he brings those and other Washington wineries into his market, eventually representing two dozen wineries from the Pacific Northwest.

    1987- Doug attends the first International Pinot Noir Celebration.

    1993- As both a Master Sommelier and Master of Wine, Doug teaches Washington and Oregon wine classes for both programs.

  • 2001-2006

    BRIAN’S JOURNEY TO WALLA WALLA

    2001 – Growing up in Wenatchee, Brian Rudin graduates from Western Washington University

    2006 - Brian moves to Walla Walla to pursue his growing passion for winemaking.

    2008 - Brian works as production manager for Alder Ridge Vineyard and Zefina Winery.

    2010 – Brian becomes winemaker for Cadaretta Winery.

    2016 – Brian launches Duckhorn’s Red Mountain label, Canvasback.

  • 2017

    BEGINNINGS OF TAGGART

    Doug and Brad Bergman are invited by Norm McKibben to select land within Walla Walla’s SeVein Vineyard Project.

  • 2018

    FOUNDING YEAR

    Echolands Winery is created. Taylor Oswald is hired as winemaker. They begin making wine at Artifex, the former Cadaretta Winery. They harvest their first grapes at Les Collines Vineyard and Seven Hills Vineyard. Taggart Vineyard is prepared for planting.

  • 2019

    FINDING THE ESTATE

    Echolands purchases 341 acres on Mill Creek Road. Taggart Vineyard is planted to Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

  • 2020

    FIRST WINES

    Echolands releases its first wines. COVID strikes. The 2018 Les Collines Syrah receives a score of 97 points from the Tasting Panel Magazine. The first drawings for the Echolands Winery on Mill Creek Road are drawn up.

  • 2021

    ALDER STREET OPENS

    Echolands is finally able to open its own tasting room, at 7 West Alder in downtown Walla Walla. Taggart Vineyard sees additional plantings of Assyrtiko, Grenache and Petit Verdot. Echolands’s Mill Creek property has its site plans approved.

  • 2022

    BEGINNINGS

    Echolands breaks ground on the Mill Creek winery. The first harvest of Taggart Vineyard sees Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon that blended that fall into the first Albus.

  • 2023

    A NEW WINEMAKER

    Brian Rudin becomes winemaker and general manager of Echolands Winery, helping to complete the construction of the new winery, tasting room and case storage warehouse.

  • 2024

    THE ESTATE OPENS

    The first grapevines are planted at the Mill Creek property, just as the new facility is opened to the public. That fall Echolands’ has its first harvest in its own winery.

  • 2025

    FIRST MAJOR ACCOLADES

    Forbes Magazine identifies Echolands Cabernet Franc as “one of the six wines that Decanter [Wine Magazine] judged the best in America”.

    Echolands is awarded a 2025 Sunset Travel Magazine distinction as the best of the year in the “Top Tastings” category.

    Echolands Estate continues planting, with vineyards dedicated to Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cinsualt, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Merlot and Vermentino.

View Estate Map