When I set out to grow grapes it was with one varietal in mind: Pinot! Guy O'Tierney
I have a dream of making a 100 point Washington-grown Pinot Noir and set out to find a plot of land with that in mind. Nestled along the top of the Yakima River Canyon between Ellensburg and Yakima and I found the perfect spot to do just that.
Our Vineyard has several unique and important characteristics about it that directly translate to our wine’s taste and quality.
The vineyard sits at 1551 feet of elevation above sea level. That puts it in the top 3% of vineyards in the world for elevation. Growing grapes that high gives us an unique microclimate and is the largest factor for making our wine unlike any you’ve had before. The extreme heights present a much cooler climate but have 300 days of sunshine average which allows us to grow Pinot Noir in Washington where it would otherwise be impossible.
Nestled into the canyon, we benefit from a wind tunnel that constantly sweeps the area with fresh air.
This benefits the vineyard in three ways: fresh air circulates through the vines preventing mold. Pinot Noir has very thin skin and tight clusters making it susceptible to mold otherwise. Negative conditions are swept away from our vineyard. Most notably, smoke and frost are unable to settle on the plants keeping them from damaging the buds and fruit. Finally, during times of extreme heat, the wind is able to cool the plants further and prevent damage. Without this funneling effect we would be unable to grow the varietal we love so much.
Another incredible and unique quality of our vineyard is the 10% calcium carbonate composition in the soil. It is so abundant that in certain areas of the canyon you can see a distinct white layer running along the rock. calcium carbonate is an important factor for several reasons. Water retention, protection against extreme heat, mineral uptake of the plants, and disease resistance all can be contributed to our soil composition. It has very desirable effects on the flavor profile as well. From enhancing the earthy notes of a Cabernet Franc to giving Chardonnay the characteristic taste associated with Chablis, our fruit absolutely benefits from this component.
If you’re curious to see how this unique terroir creates truly special wine for yourself, we invite you to visit our tasting rooms or join our wine club to experience a handcrafted experience.
