United States · Walla Walla Valley

Leonetti

Leonetti Cellar is one of Washington State's most historically significant wineries, founded by Gary Figgins in Walla Walla in 1977 and generally credited with establishing Walla Walla's reputation as a world-class wine region. The winery produces Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese, with a philosophy of aging in primarily French oak rather than the American oak popular in Washington during the 1980s and 1990s. Leonetti's Merlot established early recognition for Washington State Merlot outside Bordeaux—the 1995 received 97 points from Robert Parker. At auction, Merlot is the most-traded wine (101 lots, $61, 2011 peak), followed by Sangiovese (71 lots, $57). The modest auction pricing—averaging $59 across 344 lots—reflects the wines' positioning as accessible Washington collectibles rather than nationally hyped rarities, though the estate's historical importance significantly exceeds its current secondary-market premiums. The winery passed to Gary's son Chris Figgins in 2002.

Leonetti Cellar was founded in 1977 by Gary Figgins, making it one of Walla Walla Valley's oldest producers and a foundational influence on the region's emergence as a premium wine area.

The 1995 Merlot received 97 points from Robert Parker, one of the earliest world-class scores for a Washington State wine and a benchmark for the variety outside Bordeaux and California.

The Merlot is the most-traded wine with 101 lots at $61 average; the estate also produces a notable Sangiovese (71 lots, $57 average) unusual for a Washington State winery.

Winemaking passed from founder Gary Figgins to son Chris in 2002; the estate uses predominantly French oak, a deliberate departure from the American-oak tradition popular in Washington's early years.

Auction Lots

344

Avg Price / Bottle

$59

Top Vintage

2011

Price Range

$17 – $186

In the Glass

Washington State Merlot of depth and balance: dark cherry, plum, tobacco, dried herbs, and subtle oak spice on a medium-full body with structured but polished tannins. Less opulent than California Merlot, with cooler-climate Washington acidity keeping the wines fresh. Sangiovese shows red cherry, dried herbs, and iron in a varietal character unusual for the Pacific Northwest. Both wines age gracefully over 10–15 years.

Portfolio

Wine	Colour	Avg Price	Lots Sold	Top Vintage
Merlot	Red	$61	101	2011
Sangiovese	Red	$57	71	2007

Leonetti is based in the Walla Walla Valley wine region.

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