Viticulture

Not all vineyards are created equally. Differences in soil structure, elevation, orientation to the sun, and farming practices contribute significantly to the character of the grapes grown and, eventually, the wine made from those grapes. Quality is paramount but the unique character of a specific site, along with the ethos, experience, and ideology of the people involved, play a very significant role. In our winemaking process, we strive to maintain a light touch and minimize any intervention in order to produce wines that are authentic and unmanipulated. That approach commands that we are extremely picky about where our grapes are grown and the people we work with. Fortunately, we are able to work with the very best.

We farm 2 estate vineyards on the north side of the Walla Walla Valley. We also partner with a small handful of exceptional vineyards around the region, contracting to have certain acres or rows farmed specifically for us.

Wheat Ridge Estate Vineyard

Location: Walla Walla Valley AVA – Located northeast of downtown Walla Walla in an area known as Mill Creek, named for the watershed that provides most of the water for the town of Walla Walla.

Vines: Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah

Soil: Walla Walla silt loam: deep wind-blown silts known as loess (pronounced “luss”).

About: Wheat Ridge Vineyard sits at 1,315 to 1,350 feet above sea level on deep wind-blown loess soils. The small 10-acre (4 hectares) site was planted in 1998 to 7 acres Clone 8  Cabernet Sauvignon and just 1.5 acres of Syrah. The Cabernet block features an ideal south sloping orientation that allows full ripening but, because of the elevation, the site experiences more moderated temperatures, generally avoiding the region’s highest and lowest extremes throughout the year. The Syrah was planted to the Joseph Phelps clone and sits at the highest part of the property along the north edge. Originally planted by Steve Ahler, this established vineyard has changed names and owners several times, but the original plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah remain – and are the only varieties planted at that site.

Valley Grove Estate Vineyard

Location: Straight north of downtown Walla Walla just below the southern edge of the Palouse.

Vines: Cabernet Sauvignon

Soil: Walla Walla silt loam.

To be continued…

This page is still under construction. We’ll soon feature information about:

• Les Collines Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley
• Seven Hills Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley
• Discovery Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills
• Copeland Vineyard, Rattlesnake Hills/Yakima Valley