Ten years ago, The Walls Vineyards in Walla Walla, WA, was founded with a spirit of bold curiosity and exploration. They introduced their very first red wine release called Stanley Groovy—a boundary-pushing blend from Red Mountain that married Bordeaux classics with a generous pour of Touriga Nacional. This wasn’t just another red blend; it was a declaration that they would never surrender their spirit of innovation and spontaneity. It featured Portuguese varieties rarely seen in Washington and was guided by the eponymous character created by New Yorker cartoonist Joe Dator: Stanley Groovy.
This last Spring, The Walls launched Stanley Groovy as its own independent brand. The three-wine collection represents an accessible entry point to The Walls’ winemaking philosophy, offering quality-driven wines for everyday occasions. Each bottle is a commitment to craftsmanship at an approachable price point, designed for immediate enjoyment. In other words, they don’t require a reason to open the bottle.
Stanley Groovy has launched nationwide with three distinct blends. Vinho Tinto ($35) features primarily Portuguese varieties, all grown in Washington: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cao, and Souzao. This red blend captures The Walls’ decade-long spirit of spontaneity and innovation, with the winery standing as Washington’s largest purchaser of these uncommon varieties. Its bright acidity and structured tannins make it particularly well-suited for pairing with pizza and pasta.
Lip Stinger ($32) is a blend of white grapes typically found in southern France. Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne, and Picpoul (which means “lip stinger”) combine for a wine with a round, textural experience rather than sharp acidity. You’ll find notes reminiscent of honeydew melon and marzipan as it unfolds with a smooth, integrated finish.
A Cab Supreme ($45) represents a more familiar profile with its Bordeaux-inspired blend featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. With concentrated notes of black cherry and plum, and hints of herbs, it combines The Walls’ signature thoughtfulness and Stanley Groovy’s playfulness and accessibility.
The three Stanley Groovy wines is available in retailers and restaurants across the US, with specific focus on newly launched markets of California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, DC, and Virginia,. This broad market presence is supported by the partnership between The Walls and their distributor Massanois Fine Wines & Craft Spirits. “It is exciting and refreshing to discover The Walls’ ‘Stanley Groovy’ range of wines.” shares Erin Jolley MW, Domestic Brand Manager at Massanois, “I have found excellent wines coming out of Washington State at luxury price points, and simple wines at value price points, but very little at an attractive premium price point. Stanley Groovy is just this.”
The nationwide expansion of Stanley Groovy circles back to founder Mike Martin’s original leap of faith—when he left his corporate life in Seattle after a profound personal loss, determined to make something meaningful in Walla Walla. As Mike puts it, “Life is too short, unpredictable, and too precious to waste on [playing it safe].” Stanley Groovy embraces this philosophy, offering wines that ask a simple question: Why wait for someday when you could open something beautiful tonight?
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About The Walls and Stanley Groovy
The Walls Vineyards crafts original wines using sustainably-grown grapes from the Columbia Valley’s celebrated AVAs—Red Mountain, The Rocks District, Yakima Valley, and Columbia Gorge. These distinctly American wines explore terroir across traditions, reflecting The Walls’ philosophy that walls aren’t just boundaries but invitations to speculation and curiosity. This philosophy infuses everything The Walls creates, from their meticulous single-vineyard Cabernets to the playfully-serious Stanley Groovy line.
Stanley Groovy embodies the spontaneous spirit that’s been part of The Walls since day one. When most Washington wineries were chasing Bordeaux and Burgundy, Martin and his team were experimenting with Portuguese varieties—a boundary-pushing approach that became the original Stanley Groovy blend in 2014. Named after a character from New Yorker cartoonist Joe Dator, Stanley represents what’s most unique about The Walls: a commitment to both meticulous winemaking and the joy of living in the moment.
The Walls family also includes PÁŠXA wines from The Rocks District and Passatempo Taverna in Walla Walla—each reflecting Martin’s mission to “make the pie bigger” for Washington wine. Stanley Groovy continues this vision, bringing unexpected varieties and The Walls’ craftsmanship to wine lovers who understand that sometimes Tuesday night also deserves something special.
