Happy New Year

Hopefully everyone made it through the busy holiday season, now we're on to the new year.  These days, in the cellar we are prepping for our February bottling. We have a few new wines that I'm looking forward to sharing. They are, 2006 Minnick Hills Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walla Walla Valley appellation, 2006 Weinbau Vineyard Cabernet Franc from the Wahluke Slope appellation and a 2006 Columbia Valley Tempranillo. All will be excusively available here at the winery and in very small quantities.  They all show beautiful varietal character, look for them to be released in May 2008. Back by popular demand, the 2006 Malbec and 2007 Riesling will also be bottled next month. I'm glad you liked them. Work will be starting in the vineyards too. It's the season to prune. The vines have gone dormant for the winter, so, we'll keep the buds we want and cut the rest off; This will prepare the vines for spring and bud break.

Happy New Year, Holly

Comments

[Thomas Bougetz]

Hi Holly, thanks for the update. I was wondering a bit about the Tempranillo that you are bottling. could you elaborate a bit more on that? I'm trying to resolve in my mind that here in Washington, Tempranillo can be made into a top notch wine. I know it won't be the same as a Rioja/Ribero, but would love a little more insight as to where it was sourced and what were your thoughts on working with it.
thanks tom

[Holly Turner]

Thomas, thanks for asking. The Tempranillo comes from Echo West Vineyard located in Oregon at the south end of the Columbia Valley. I've worked with Tempranillo a little here in WA but really wasn't sure what to expect with these new vines. The grapes were picked in August, I was a little surprised at how early they were ready, but, with new vines and a light crop that can be expected. The quality was impressive. We had great extraction and concentration, it is a big bold wine. I'm excited for people to try it too. There isn't a lot of Tempranillo here yet, I think it has great potential.
I continued again with it in 2007 and again am impressed with the quality.
Holly