There’s a long story about the fenceline next to this block…suffice to say, I enjoy walking along it with my hands in my pockets. This song is about being quiet and contemplative.

Trellised to VSP. "Fenceline" and "Wicked Twisted Road" are siblings of sort—ripen at the same time, and often are picked in one long, heroic day by our vineyard crew.

Song Inspiration—Walkin' along the Fenceline, Wade Bowen

This song is a very personal reflection of my life’s journey and how the twisted road builds our life’s story.

As you drive into Figgins Estate, the first block you notice is Wicked Twisted Road as the road curves around its beautifully radiused south side. I spent countless hours laying out this vineyard, and the grace of this block and the road which frames it I am quite proud of.

Song Inspiration—Wicked Twisted Road, Reckless Kelley

This block is named for love, the greatest mystery in my life.

Trained to a lyre system, the clonal selection in this block yields tiny berries that are incredibly floral driven in their aromatics. The trellis system is worth the extra work of constant hand grooming passes.

Song Inspiration—Mystifies Me, Son Volt

I LOVE tobacco aromatics in my Cabernet Sauvignon and it is often present in the wine from this block. Along with Sunrise and Mystifies Me, the trellising on this block is a lyre system. This allows for high plant density, yet low shoot density with its double cordon, allowing excellent light and air flow to each cluster.

Song Inspiration—Cash & Tobacco, Nathan Hamilton and No Deal

Just as sure as the sun comes up every morning, this is the first block it rises over. “Watched ‘em fall, watched ‘em rise up to the sky.”

In the Northwest corner is Sunrise—as every morning the sun lifts directly above this block. It is also the highest point in the vineyard, commanding an impressive view not just of Figgins Estate, but of the entire Walla Walla Valley.

Song Inspiration—Sunrise, Ryan Bingham

Perhaps the most soulful song ever recorded in my opinion. It defines emotional and spiritual anguish and striving for expectations of perfection that upon reaching become disappointment.

Hallelujah peels east from Easy Plateau and recieves beautiful early morning light. When I taste the wine, the block name seems so relevant!

Song Inspiration—Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley

Just north of where I will build our home someday, this block always exudes peace to me when I walk it in a way that creates sanctuary. We all need a place to rest our heads.

Easy Plateau is aptly named, as it is a relatively flat, elevated bench dominating the north portion of the vineyard. This particular block has perhaps the finest uniformity in the vineyard.

Song Inspiration—Easy Plateau, Ryan Adams

In loving memory of Scott Bayne. We miss you buddy.

This is my favorite block of Merlot. It yields wines of astonishing density and aromatics. The berry size is part of the reason—as for whatever reason it is consistently small, and the clusters loose and open. This is usually the first block to be harvested each year—perhaps due to the fact that it and Sun Also Set’s are the last Merlot blocks the sun fades from.

Song Inspiration—Finger on the Trigger, Bleu Edmonson

Dedicated to the mother of my children, my ex-wife and my dear friend, Heather.

Being in the NW corner, this is the last block to see the sun at Figgins Estate Vineyard.

Song Inspiration—The Sun Also Sets, Ryan Adams

My faith is a very private thing. There was a time when it wasn’t. I have learned through time there are better ways to share it than in words. Luke 19:40.

The endposts from this block are old limestone fenceposts from Kansas, very near where my Figgins family first settled. Each one tells a story through its ancient fossils and 150 years of human and animal imprint. The block is planted to high density on a low cordon wire much like one would see in Bordeaux.

Song Inspiration—These Stones will Shout, The Raconteurs

I have Drew Bledsoe to thank for introducing me to MMJ. This is a song about hard work, catching a break, and being discovered. This exemplifies our friendship and this block. Thanks Bro.

The lower part of Figgins Estate vineyard is planted to Merlot, where the soils are slightly heavier and perfectly appropriate for the clay loam loving Merlot.

Song Inspiration—One Big Holiday, My Morning Jacket

This is a beautiful song of love—and how the memories we make with loved ones always come to be tied to the place in which we made them.

Figgins Estate Vineyard was formerly a wheat field before my vision for FIGGINS came to fruition. From July to October it sits in "Fields of Gold". The South side of this block is marked by a stone well house—built from reclaimed local stone from an old root cellar. I love paying homage to the history of this Valley, even as I contribute to gently transforming it.

Song Inspiration—Fields of Gold, Sting