In the thick of it...

What a busy month it has been. We bottled our 05 Les Collines Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Valley Syrah’s. Then a slue of grapes came in. It is the first week of October and we have received two thirds of our grapes.

The next few weeks we will be getting in our Cabernet Sauvignon. The word on the street is that Cab will be king in 06!
 

We signed a contract with Phinny Hill Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. The Horse Heaven Hills are one of the newest AVAs (American Viticulture Areas) in Washington but no novice to growing grapes. Phinny Hill is located in South Central Washington near the Columbia River . We will be getting Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Verdot and a grape I am especially excited to make into wine, Carmenere.

Carmenere was once known as Grande Vidure in Bordeaux before a pest nearly wiped out all the vineyards in Europe . When it came time to replant it was decided to plant in favor of the higher yeilding Cabernet Sauvignon to satisfy the increasing demand for wine from the British market. So Carmenere was lost to the world, or so it was thought. Years later it was rediscovered in Chile where it was mistakenly interplanted with Merlot. Once the two grapes were separated the quality of Carmenere sky rocketed. Good Carmenere has deep berry aromas round tannins and an earthy texture.

Our Viognier is running low so get it while it lasts. It will be the last of our wines until our tasting room opens in the Spring

If you find yourself in the neighborhood give me a call and I will be glad to take you around the winery