My Process
Lolati Wines is inspired by my family history, and I enjoy making wines that are expressive and bold. I source my grapes from consistently excellent vineyards in Washington and Oregon. The grape varietals I currently work with are Grenache, Syrah, Primitivo, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Petite Syrah and, as of this year, Pinot Noir. My winemaking style is to be gentle during fermentation and to let the fruit express itself in color, taste and mouthfeel and guide me to the final blend in bottle. My Primitivo is certainly the most unique in my collection and sought after for its lush, rich palette. Syrah is my favorite grape to work with as it is incredibly expressive—dark, rich, highly structured and restrained. It plays nicely with others so it is an excellent blending varietal as well. - LEIGH BROWN, FOUNDER & WINEMAKER
Wines
2023 Rosé of Grenache
This rosé was picked in early September and to keep its fresh fruit aromas it was fermented and aged in stainless steel up until bottling. It has notes of guava and nectarines on the nose with juicy tangerine and strawberries on the palate with hints of grapefruit on the finish. Its ripe fruit flavors are balanced with its lingering acidity. Enjoy with salty snacks, creamy cheeses and prosciutto with melon. GROWN IN THE MCKINLEY SPRINGS VINEYARD
This vineyard is located near Yakima, WA in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of the Columbia Valley. It’s a large vineyard that was planted in the 1980s by Robert Andrews, and is now owned by his son and his son’s brother-in-law. The vineyard produces red wines with fruity aromas and great structure.
2022 Sauvignon Blanc
In order to keep this wine fresh and lively with primary fruit flavors and aromas, it is fermented and aged in stainless steel. This is a perfect food wine with grassy and lemon-lime notes on the nose and palate along with green apple and pear. It is a refreshing wine for any day of the week and any time of year.GROWN IN THE AQUILINI VINEYARDS
Located in the Red Mountain AVA in the Yakima Valley. Its soil is nutrient-rich with layers of sand and silt. The extreme temperatures in this area lead to an intense, refined, and complex flavor. The grapes are hand-picked each year.
2022 GSM
This wine is made from a blend of fruit from three vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of the Columbia Valley in Washington.
Each vineyard brings its unique flavor to this traditional Rhone style wine, creating a harmonious blend of rich dark fruit flavors.
All of the fruit was hand harvested to select the best quality grapes to make this special wine.
GROWN IN MCKINLEY SPRINGS, SIX PRONG & AQUILINI VINEYARDS
Each grape variety was fermented, pressed and barreled separately before being blended into tank prior to bottling to achieve the perfect balance. Enjoy aromas of blackberries, dried strawberries, red licorice, plums and black cherries. The palate has soft tannins and bright acidity with flavors of dried plums, anise and blackberry pie. Serve with grilled sausages (bangers and mash is
a favorite), grilled lamb, charcuterie, and barbeque.
2021 Kikoi Red Blend
A unique blend of Merlot and Syrah created a rich yet peppery red wine with flavors of cassis and dark fruit on the palate. An excellent choice for grilled lamb chops, Mediterranean food, and even a summer or fall fruit galette.GROWN IN THE WEETS FAMILY VINEYARD
This vineyard is located on the southern slope of the Rattlesnake Hills in the Yakima Valley, which is part of the larger Columbia Valley. The elevation is about 1,200 ft. with a semi-arid climate and about 300 beautiful days of sunshine. There are 20 acres of wine grapes including Merlot, Cab Franc, Syrah, Cab Sauv and Grenache.
2021 Syrah
The grapes for this wine are handpicked for the best selection of fruit then fermented for gentle extraction of color, tannins and fruit flavors. With an eye towards minimal handling, the wine is moved into barrel by gravity after pressing and vintaged over for 18 months before bottling to allow the expression of the wine to come into its own. This wine has plum, dark cherry, black currant and warm winter spices on the nose with subtle notes of black licorice, plum and blackberry on the palate with a rich, long finish.
GROWN IN THE WEETS FAMILY VINEYARD
This vineyard is located near Yakima, WA, in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of the Columbia Valley. It’s a large vineyard that was planted in the 1980s by Robert Andrews and is now owned by his son and his son’s brother-in-law. The vineyard produces red wines with fruity aromas and great structure.
2020 Syrah
This Syrah was hand picked and fermented with gentle daily punch downs until ready to press and rest in barrel. While bold, this wine is velvety in texture and lingers on the palate with notes of cherry, warm spices and violets. A perfect pairing for grilled meats, roasted vegetables and strong cheeses such as Roquefort, gorgonzola and pecorino.GROWN IN THE WEETS FAMILY VINEYARD
This vineyard is located near Yakima, WA, in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of the Columbia Valley. It’s a large vineyard that was planted in the 1980s by Robert Andrews and is now owned by his son and his son’s brother-in-law. The vineyard produces red wines with fruity aromas and great structure.My Story
Click on image to download.
Leigh Brown
Founder & Winemaker
I'm an Oregon winemaker with an international background. My father was born in South Africa and much of my family lives there. “Lolati” was the name of my great grandfather’s farm near Cape Town and is loosely translated to "back and forth," which is an apt description of his journey to becoming a farmer.
Similarly, my journey to becoming a winemaker and creating my own brand was a culmination of years of experience, with several twists and turns along the way — a lot of "back and forth" if you will. However, all of this led me to where I am today.I'm originally from Indiana and studied harp performance at Indiana University. After college, I freelanced as a musician on the east coast and waited tables, which got me excited about food and wine. I moved to Oregon in 2006 to study at the Western Culinary Institute and start a new chapter in my life. Since then, I have worked for several wineries in the Willamette Valley, which is where I developed my craft as a winemaker. 
Eventually I became the Assistant Winemaker for Marshall Davis Wines where we make around 45 wines for several other small brands. Somewhere along the way, I realized that facilitating an experience for others that is pleasing to the senses is one of my greatest joys in life, both as a musician and a winemaker.By 2019, I felt a deep desire to make wine I could call my own. I remembered my time working a harvest in the Western Cape ten years prior at a family wine farm. During that time, I fell in love with the vibrant flavors of South African wine and the diversity of grape varietals grown all across the country.
When thinking about the wines I wanted to make, I decided to experiment with bold varietals, much like those made in South Africa, by using the incredible selection of wine grapes found in the Northwest. I chose to focus primarily on the grapes grown in Washington State and began making the wines in Oregon. Today, I continue to channel my creativity through winemaking and playing the harp, eager to share the sensual pleasures of aroma, taste and sound with the Willamette Valley. Click on image to download.
Click image to download full color logo.
Click image to download full color logo.