Vital Wines Donation

One of the best features about the Washington wine industry is our sense of community and willingness to collaborate.

Vital Wines, located in our hometown of Walla Walla, is a nonprofit organization that helps vineyard workers, primarily Latinx, access affordable, local healthcare for themselves and their families. Founded by winemaker Ashley Trout in 2016, Vital has raised nearly $100K in donations and sold more than 3,300 cases of wine to fund their programs.

This is where Capital Call Vintners comes in. In 2023, we donated six barrels of merlot and six barrels of sangiovese with wine made from grapes from our Wheatfield Vines Vineyard near the Rocks District, to Vital Wines.

“This is a really wonderful endeavor, and it benefits a lot of people,” said Joshua Maloney, Capital Call Vintners winemaker.

With a low tonnage, these grapes have highly concentrated flavor and are excellent expressions of the unique terroir. The merlot is particularly soft and unctuous while the sangiovese is rich with a bright acidity.

“The 2023 reds are some of the most concentrated, darkest, and richest reds I’ve ever seen in Washington,” said Maloney, noting that he’s been making wine in Washington since 2005.

Owner Steve Bruere bought new oak barrels to store and move the wine to Vital’s facility where their staff and volunteers will then bottle and package the wine under the Vital Wines label. In total, Vital Wine will bottle around 100 cases of wine from our donation.

We are thrilled that Capital Call Vintners can contribute to the health and equity of our community with this donation and that Vital Wines buyers will get a taste of the high-quality fruit grown in meticulously and lovingly tended vineyards. 

Capital Call Vintners is committed to growing exceptional fruit, crafting premium wines, and being a supportive member of both the Walla Walla and larger Washington wine communities.  

Vital Wines is a neighbor to our Walla Walla Tasting Room. When you visit us, plan to spend some time next door as well!