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So much work goes into creating a bottle of wine, and it all starts in the vineyard. We can never overstate the incredible dedication our growers have to their fruit, and it shows in each and every glass.
– Todd Bernave
A vineyard’s location, soil type, elevation, microclimate, and terrain are the things that make it unique, defining its terroir. What makes a vineyard great, however, is the grower and their dedication and understanding of the land they manage. We are privileged to work with several talented vineyard owners and managers throughout the Walla Walla and Columbia Valleys.
Below you can see highlights of the vineyard sources we have used since our first vintage in 2013. A huge thank you to our growers!
Location: East bank of the Columbia River, 5-10 miles north of the Tri-Cities in the Columbia Valley.
Vines: Planted in the 1970s and expanded over many years, three vineyards fall under this group name: Sagemoor, Bacchus, and Dionysus Vineyards. We source Riesling (clones Geisenheim 198, Geisenheim 238, and Neudstadt 90), Sauvignon Blanc, and Roussanne from this vineyard complex. The sandy loam soil at these vineyards produces some of the best whites and reds in Washington state.
Vintages: Riesling (2013-2014, 2018-2019); Sauvignon Blanc (2013-2014); Roussanne (2014-2015)
Location: West of the Columbia River, 5 miles northwest of Benton City and the Red Mountain AVA in the Columbia Valley.
Vines: We source Sauvignon Blanc from this vineyard. North to South oriented rows lead to morning and evening sun on opposite sides of the canopy. Due to Sauvignon Blanc’s “wild” nature, it typically falls over the wires and shades itself leading to lower fruit zone temperatures and the retention of the characteristic grassiness.
Vintages: Sauvignon Blanc (2020-present)
Location: Located on the north side of the valley, the Palouse Hills are known for producing wines with minerality and finesse. The soil type here is windblown silt loam typically not originating from the Missoula Floods that occurred 8-12 thousand years ago. We chose this region for the terroir and structure of the resulting wines. Typically higher in acidity, freshness, and a bit cooler than the Valley floor leads to long hang times and ripeness without increased alcohol. Minerality and finesse are the names of the game here.
Vines: We source Syrah from this Vineyard. North to South oriented rows lead to morning and evening sun on opposite sides of the canopy. Treated more like a Syrah from northern Rhone – you’ll find blueberry, dark plum, star anise, black pepper, and the vineyard’s distinctive minerality.
Vintages: Syrah (2013-2014, 2016-2018, 2021)
Vines: We source Wente clone Chardonnay from Block 16 and Cabernet Franc (VCR-10) from Block 15 out of the southern portion of the vineyard, and Malbec from Block 2 out of the north portion.
Vintages: Chardonnay (2017-2018, 2021-present); Cabernet Franc (2017-present); Malbec (2018-present); Syrah (2022-present)
Location: Located to the west and south of the city is the Valley Floor, an area known for its warmer climate and powerful wines. The soil type of the Valley Floor is Missoula flood silts and slackwater deposits from the glacial floods that occurred 8-12 thousand years ago.
Vines: Planted with Clones 4 and 191, this 4.5 acre vineyard is located on the floor of the Walla Walla Valley just north of the Oregon/Washington border. Typically our last pick of the year, the fruit ripens more slowly due to cooler temperatures in this area. For us, that means longer hang times and phenolic development without high levels of sugar – leading to rich and elegant wines with lower alcohol.
Vintages: J&S Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (2016-2020)
Vines: We source Syrah from this vineyard. This Walla Walla silt loam vineyard borders Cottonwood Creek and has a deep enough root system to be dry farmed, which is basically unheard of in that area. This allows for delayed ripening and concentration in their Syrah grapes, creating wines that are fruit driven and meaty.
Vintages: Patina Vineyard Syrah (2015-2017)
Location: At the southern end of the Valley and on the Vansycle Ridge itself sits one of the most storied and prized vineyard sites in the Pacific Northwest, Seven Hills Vineyard. The soil here ranges from Missoula flood deposits at the bottom to windblown silt loam to fractured basalt at the crest. We chose this region for the terroir and structure of the resulting wines. Typically lower in acidity, more power, and a bit warmer leads to increased tannin, color, and concentration. These grapes typically go into our Nox Eternelle series of wines.
Vines: We source Cabernet Franc from Block 32 and Carménère from Blocks 12A and 12B. Made up of multiple rolling hills, Seven Hills Vineyard varies in elevation by about 200 feet, allowing for excellent soil and air drainage.
Vintages: Cabernet Franc (2015, 2018-2021); Carmenere (2015, 2017-present)
Location: At 1750 feet of elevation and set against the Blue Mountains, Breezy Slope sees twice the rainfall of the Valley floor with the same amount of sunshine! The vineyard sits atop windblown silt (or loess) and fractured basalt. Its elevation and the strong slope around the vineyard produce excellent drainage for cool air.
Vines: This is the source for our Dijon 115 clone Pinot Noir. North to South oriented rows lead to morning and evening sun on opposite sides of the canopy. While the warm, sunny days throughout the summer allow for excellent ripening and darker colors – the cool nights help the fruit hold on to its natural acidity well into October.
Vintages: Breezy Slope Vineyard Pinot Noir (2013-2014, 2016-present)
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