In a vineyard, the land speaks through its fruit. It’s language is terroir, an indefinable
alchemy of soil, site and orientation. Washington state is geologically complex, it’s
topography defined millennia ago by a series of massive freezes and floods which
deposited a range of soils across the state. The Eastern side of the state, home to long,
sunny days, cool nights and nominal precipitation, provides the ideal environment for
growing vinifera grapes.

The care and patience we have bestowed on our wines began in the vineyard. We
mindfully selected four locations in the Columbia Valley for our estate vineyards;
Old Vine, The Canyons, on Red Mountain along with neighboring Blackrock Vineyard
and  Blue Mountain Vineyard in Walla Walla. Planted primarily to Bordeaux and Rhone
varietals, each site provides character and complexity unique to its location, each row
tended obsessively for optimum results.

the climate & soil

Soil type is intimately connected to the success of a plant. The basalt and alluvium
deposited by the ancient Missoula Floods provide ideal conditions for vinifera grape
vines. We conducted extensive soil mapping in each of our vineyards and scrupulously
matched grape varieties to elevation and soil types.

Columbia Valley’s arid weather provides optimal sun exposure, or degree days, to ripen
fruit. Hot summer sun is balanced by row orientation so clusters are protected from
the most intense rays. With minimal rain, irrigation from wells and nearby water
sources allow us to manage the vine’s growth cycle, ensuring it’s health early in the
plant’s life and forcing its roots deep into the ground for long-term vitality.