Horse Heaven Hills American Viticultural Area Washington

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HORSE HEAVEN HILLS AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREA

According to local historical records in 1857 rancher James Kinney was camping in the range of hills in south-central Washington. When he woke up to discover his herd had wandered up a mountainside and into an upland plain where they were munching on succulent bunch grass. “Surely this is Horse Heaven,” Kinney commented. The area has WASHINGTON been known as the Horse Heaven Hills ever since. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS WINERY FEATURES BENEFITS TOPOGRAPHY The terrain consists of south- The south-facing slopes provide sloping, well-drained sandy excellent sun exposure for grape soils, open and dry plains. ripening and good air drainage that protects vineyards during winter months. WIND Strong wind patterns, up to 30% Strong winds reduce canopy HORSE HEAVEN HILLS FACTS greater than in other Columbia size and density, creating better Valley areas, are unique to the sun exposure, an unfavorable LOCATION South central Washington state Horse Heaven Hills. environment for vineyard pests, along the Columbia River in and evens ripening by moderating Paterson, Washington, home of Columbia Crest winery temperature extremes. SIZE 570,000 acres TEMPERATURE Warmer growing season Grapes are fully mature at harvest temperatures result in an with unique characteristics ideal PLANTED VINEYARDS 6,040 acres earlier harvest. for “single vineyard” wines. An earlier harvest also decreases the COLUMBIA CREST VINEYARDS 2,500 acres risk of fall frost. FIRST PLANTING 1972, Mercer Vineyard PRECIPITATION Annual rainfall averages 9” Grape growers have ultimate ELEVATION 200 feet at the area’s southern with the majority accumulated control over how much and when boundary to 1,800 feet at its during dormancy so to irrigate vineyards. Judicious northern boundary supplemental irrigation is water use prevents excessive vine SOIL Loamy sands, sandy loams and crucial. canopy growth, yielding grapes silt loams with balanced characteristics.

CLIMATE Semi-arid; annual rainfall averages 9 inches Columbia Crest and Columbia Crest releases TIMELINE its parent company, its first wine with the VINEYARDS 29 Ste. Michelle Wine Horse Heaven Hills AVA Estates lead consortium designation, the 2005 Winery construction begins. Columbia Valley of growers to petition Reserve Chardonnay. 6 The debut WINERIES AVA is established. the government for a vintage of the H3 Columbia Crest, Chateau Ste. Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Sauvignon Blanc is released. Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate, Alder 1978–1981 1983 1992 2005 2008 Ridge, Destiny Ridge and Zefina 1981 1984 2002 2007 2015 Columbia Crest First crush. Five-year irrigation Horse Heaven Hills The debut vintages plants its estate research trials AVA established of the H3 Cabernet MAJOR GRAPE VARIETIES Chardonnay, Riesling, vineyards in begin at Columbia August 1. Sauvignon, Merlot Sauvignon Blanc, Paterson, WA. Crest with partner and Chardonnay Washington State are released. Cabernet Sauvignon, University. Merlot, Syrah

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