About the Wahluke Slope AVA
Our two Washington State estate vineyard sites lie in the foothills of the Saddle Mountains known as the Wahluke Slope. The Wahluke Slope AVA includes about 5,200 acres of planted vineyards and is a sub-appella on of the much larger Columbia Valley AVA. This barren desert landscape is not farmable without the aid of irriga on and features shallow, rocky soil that requires extensive ripping prior to vineyard plan ng. As one of the state’s ho est growing regions, it is not unusual for high temperatures to top 100 degrees during the growing season, but nigh me temperatures dip significantly, producing complex flavors and the necessary acidity. Annual heat units regularly exceed 3,000 in this region.
Desert Wind Vineyard
Loca on: 10 miles east of Ma awa, WA -- Wahluke Slope AVA Total planted acreage: 423 Varie es planted: 167 acres Merlot, 102 acres Cabernet Sauvignon, 82 acres Chardonnay, 17 acres Syrah, 14 acres Semillon, 13 acres Sauvignon Blanc, 12 acres Cabernet Franc, 5 acres Viognier, 3 acres Barbera, 2 acres Tempranillo, 2 acres Malbec, 2 acres Pe t Verdot, 1 acre Mourvedre, 1 acre Carmenere First harvest: 1995 Irriga on: Canal Trellis style: Ver cal Shoot Posi oning (VSP) Rootstock: Own-rooted Vine spacing: 9’ (between rows) x 6’ (between vines) Average yield: 4 tons/acre Average plants per acre: 806 Eleva on: 800 - 1,000 . Vineyard personality: Concentrated flavors in fruit, producing age-worthy wines
[ DW - 1 of 2 ] Sacagawea Vineyard
Loca on: 1 mile east of Ma awa, WA -- Wahluke Slope AVA Total planted acreage: 53 Varie es planted: 20 acres Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 acres Syrah, 5 acres Riesling, 4 acres Barbera, 4 acres Sangiovese First harvest: 2003 Irriga on: Canal Trellis style: Ver cal Shoot Posi oning (VSP) Rootstock: Own-rooted Vine spacing: 9’ (between rows) x 5’ (between vines) Average yield: 4 tons/acre Average plants per acre: 968 Eleva on: 600 . Vineyard personality: Low-tannin fruit with supple fruit flavors
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