We didn't plan to make wine...
A Lifetime in Pursuit of
Exceptional Wines.
We started collecting wine in 1992, the year we were married. It began with just a few bottles from France, but over time, our curiosity and our cellar expanded. We sought out wines of every kind and visited many of the world’s celebrated wine regions.
When we moved to California 26 years ago, our entire collection fit into 40 cases in the container that crossed the Atlantic. For our recent move to Walla Walla, it took more than 360 cases and a dedicated crew to pack them.
Whenever we visit a new place, we seek out local winemakers, taste their wines, and learn something new. That has taken us to cellars in some of the most obvious wine regions but also to unexpected places such as Ireland, Hawaii, and Ohio.
Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to taste extraordinary wines and meet exceptional winemakers and collectors. We developed a deep understanding of what separates a great wine from a good one, and shared our best finds with friends and colleagues.
People around us started paying attention to what we were drinking and asking us to select wine for them. Drinking wine is a social experience. We’ve enjoyed sharing our explorations with those who have joined us along the way.
After collecting for 35 years, it was time...
Time to take our commitment to wine to the next level.
Making wine allows us to create exceptional experiences for those who trust us to choose their wines. We do not take that trust lightly. It is the foundation of everything we are building at Clos Clavier.
We plan to deliver flavors inspired by the most interesting wine profiles we fell in love with during our travels around the world. And we aim to demonstrate that those can be done in Walla Walla.
Walla Walla: One of the Wine World’s best-kept secrets.
We have spent decades learning what exceptional terroir looks like, what it is worth, and how to recognize when something truly remarkable is still being overlooked. For us, Walla Walla is that place.
With its dramatic elevations, diverse soils, distinctive geology, and varied microclimates, the region produces wines of extraordinary complexity and character, without the price premiums associated with many of the world’s more established wine regions.
We are not simply here to make special wines for our friends and customers. We are here to help champion one of the world's most underestimated wine-growing regions and share its exceptional potential with those who appreciate great wine.
How We Make It
We Source Exceptional Fruit
Everything begins in the vineyard. We carefully select fruit from some of the finest East Washington and Oregon sites focusing on vineyards with the soils, elevation, and climate needed to produce wines of depth and character. Great wine starts with great fruit, and every decision begins there.
We Always Let the Vineyard Speak
Working alongside winemaker Peter Devison, we take a restrained approach that allows the fruit and terroir to express themselves naturally. Minimal intervention, and thoughtful cellar practices preserve the character of each vineyard while creating wines with balance, complexity, and authenticity.
We Craft Wines Built to Endure
Through careful blending across barrels and varietals, we create wines that are vibrant, structured, and designed to evolve over time. Peter's experience and Jeff's vision work hand in hand, producing wines that showcase the extraordinary potential of the Walla Walla region and its world-class vineyards.
The Invitation
We will make 2 wines and sell 150 cases this year. That's it.
Every year, we’ll offer a small number of unique blends to a small number of people who want to experience fabulous wines without the pressure of having to select them. You will let us know whether you want 6 or 12 bottles and we’ll take it from there. Expect a shipment of exceptional bottles in the fall.
We'll bring you along for it: Harvest updates, cellar notes, the story of each vintage as it happens.
This isn't a wine club in the traditional sense. It's more like being in the room where the decisions get made.
"We’ve shared our cellar for years—and now we share our winery journey with you."
- Jeff & Bernadette Clavier