Wines
HEARTS DELIGHT Q&A
Q: If you were given one day to do anything you wanted, what would you do?
A: I would wake up in a stunningly beautiful home in the tropics and consume nothing but tropical fruit smoothies, coffee, and chocolate for the first 2/3 of the day. I would spend all day outside with the exception of bathroom breaks, and do pottery by the beach, interrupted by some yoga and spa time- still outside. I would have a long walk with a person I love and then have an intimate dinner for 6, catered by a Michelin-starred chef - still outdoors, all paired with wines from around the world.
Q: How do you stay inspired and motivated in your daily life?
A: It really is so helpful if you can live to work instead of work to live - for me. We're all different, but for me, that has to be the starting point. I have to love my daily craft- and do. I also am attached to my planner. I've integrated a section for daily gratitude in each planner that I've filled in for years. I've noticed that some very little things can bring me a lot of joy. This puts in perspective that not everything needs to be massive or complex or practically unachievable at all times to get some great wins.
Brook & Bull Cellars
Ashley Trout & Alyson LaVarnway
Walla Walla
Featured:
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – Congress Has Heart Reception
Thursday, May 8, 2025 – Trade Tasting
Saturday, May 10, 2025 – Grand TastingReception
Winemaker Ashely Trout has been an integral part of the Walla Walla wine industry since 1999. She has since worked eight harvests in Argentina, started three wineries in Washington and racked up both personal and professional accolades for her work in social justice with the wine industry as well as for her wines, landing her as one of Wine Enthusiast magazine’s “Top 40 under 40”.
At 18, she started working a part time cellar job at Reinginer Winery that became much more than that. She worked at Reinginer for eight years, followed by Tamarack Cellars, Waters Winery & TERO Estates.
In 2016, a decade after creating her first winery, Flying Trout Wines, she released inaugural wines for her two new brands, Vital Wines and Brook & Bull Cellars.
Vital is a non-profit winery that donates 100% of its profits toward improving access to healthcare for vineyard and cellars works in our local community.
Ashley’s husband, Brian Rudin, is also a winemaker. Rudin is the winemaker for Echolands Winery. Their two children are too young yet to be winemakers.