Figgins Family Wine Estates

Figgins Family Wine Estates is an umbrella organization established in 2010 by the Figgins family to manage their growing collection of wine projects. The family's viticultural history in the Walla Walla Valley began in 1977 when Gary and Nancy Figgins founded Leonetti Cellar, which was the first commercial winery in the region. Their son, Chris Figgins, joined the family business in 1996 after studying horticulture and succeeded his father as head winemaker in 2001. Under his leadership, the family expanded their focus from the multi-vineyard varietal wines of Leonetti to single-vineyard estate projects, leading to the launch of the FIGGINS label and the formalization of the family estates group.

The primary vineyard for the FIGGINS label is the 32 acre Figgins Estate Vineyard, located in the Mill Creek area of the Walla Walla Valley. This site sits at a high elevation between 1,500 and 1,750 feet, positioned above the Missoula flood line. The terroir is characterized by deep silt loam, known as loess, sitting over a foundation of shear basalt. Winemaking at the estate emphasizes sustainable farming practices, including the use of compost teas and microbial soil management. A central feature of their production is a dedicated winery and collection of hillside-hewn caves, which were the first of their kind in Washington state, designed to provide natural temperature control for aging.

This producer is most recognized for its Estate Red Wine, a single-vineyard Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The estate also produces a dry Riesling from a cool, high-elevation half-acre block and a secondary red blend named Figlia. The family holds a significant reputation in the Pacific Northwest for helping to establish the Walla Walla Valley as a premium wine region. While the Leonetti brand maintains a cult following with a long-standing waiting list, the FIGGINS project is distinguished by its focus on translating a single site's characteristics into a singular blend that reflects annual vintage variation.