Growing our own grapes is something that puts us in that select group of winemakers with the ability to exercise total control over the fruit that goes into the making of our wines.
Our vineyard, is located in the newly designated Horse Heaven Hills AVA, widely recognized as one of Washington's top AVA's in the production of very high quality wine grapes. We currently have approximately 300 acres in production growing eight varietals, Cabernet Franc, Sauvingon Blac, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbek, Sangiovese, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvingon with plans for bringing up to another 400 acres into production.
Aldercreek Vineyard marks the Southern boundary of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. We are only sixteen miles West of Columbia Crest Winery at Paterson and a scant five miles North of the Columbia River. This 16 mile stretch has close to 8000 acres in production of wine grapes which constitutes approximately 30% of Washington state wine grape production, a significant harvest amount in view of Washington State being second only to California in the nation’s production of quality wine grapes. Our vineyards are located in an area having a unique micro climate with several growing characteristics that help in producing superior quality fruit.
One of our sites biggest prizes is Alder Canyon which runs along the entire one and a half mile long Northern boundary of our property. Wild flowers blanket the canyon walls and crest providing beautiful vistas and it is filled with abundant wildlife. An extra bonus are the sunrises and sunsets which can only be described as stunning.
The canyon does many things for us besides being a peaceful and beautiful setting. At approximately 600 feet deep, ½ mile wide and 30 miles long, with many smaller canyons running into it, it helps moderate the temperature extremes of winter and summer by acting as a conduit for moving air.
The top of the property, which is the south side of the canyon, is at a 1368 foot elevation. The bottom of the property, approximately 2 miles to the South East corner, is at a 965 foot elevation. This constant 4 -5 degree slope to the South-Southeast provides even and consistent air flow which contributes to even ripening fruit. Wine grape vines become severely damaged at temeratures below -12 degrees (F). We consider ourselves very fortunate with our location when comparing our maximum low temperature with other AVA's.
In the last two major cold events in 1996 and 2004 where temperatures in many grape growing areas of the State went as low as -23 degrees (F) and grape vines were damaged to the point of cutting the stocks off at the ground and bringing the plant back from the roots, the lowest the temperature went at our vineyards was -9 degrees (F). Much of our low annual rainfall occurs mostly during the winter months. Our summers are very dry allowing us to exercise almost total control over the amount of water our grapes receive. In addition to being dry our summer days receive as much as 2 hours more sunlight than wine growing regions in California. In the fall our warm days and cool nights just before harvest, a critical factor in even ripening of wine grapes, help in setting great flavors.
Wine grapes are best when stressed a little. Our soils and climate allow us to grow wine grapes of good acid levels and complex flavors that are winning awards for many wineries using our grapes. | 
Washington State's AVA's
(American Viticultural Areas)
Horse Heaven Hills
Yakima Valley
Walla Walla Valley
Columbia Valley
Puget Sound
Red Mountain
HORSE HEAVEN HILLS -
Established on August 5th, 2005 Horse Heaven Hills AVA is Washington's newest AVA. This AVA has several unique traits that produce superior wine grapes. It is bounded on the South by the Columbia River, has ideal south-facing slopes, warm temperatures that allow for ripe grapes and early harvest, and low rainfall, which gives total control of watering to the grape grower. Currently there are nearly 8000 acres in wine grape production accounting for roughly 30% of Washington State wine grape production.
YAKIMA VALLEY -
was established in 1983. It has more than 40 wineries and over 10,000 acres in production (about one third of Washington's vineyards). The soils are composed predominately of silt-loam. It has around 190 growing days a year and receives approximately 8" of rainfall annually.
WALLA WALLA VALLEY -
established in 1984. It has more than 40 wineries and approximately 1000 acres in production. The soils are essentially a loess of unconsolidated, unstratified calcareous silt. It has a growing season of 190 to 220 days a year and receives approximately 12.5 inches of rainfall annually.
COLUMBIA VALLEY -
Established in 1984 and is Washington's largest viticultural region covering almost 11 million acres and contains many distinct microclimates. Several of these areas are seeking indiviual AVA status. It has approximately 15 wineries and approximately 17000 acres in production. It has many soil types with growing seasons of 180~200 days a year and receives 6 to 8 inches of rainfall annually. Columbia Valley contains Red Mountain and both the Yakima and Walla Walla Valleys within its borders.
PUGET SOUND -
Established 1995 and having only around 80 acres in production with approximately 35 wineries. It has a temperate climate that rarely experiences freezes and has mild summers. The core of this appellation has a growing season that is drier and sunnier than many classic wine grape growing regions in Europe. It's soil consists of a semi-permeable cemented subsoil allowing the deep-rooted vinifera vines to survive late summer water deficit. Annual rainfall is around 15 inches mostly falling in the winter during dormancy. It's growing season is approximately 180 days. Madeleine Angevine, Siegerebbe and Muller-Thurgau are the predominant varietals. Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir also show promise in this appellation.
RED MOUNTAIN -
Established in 2001 and currently has fewer that 10 wineries. Only 4,040 acres in size between Benton City and Richland it has aproximately 710 vineyard acres planted. A combination of good air, drainage and light soils encourages deep rooting of the grape vines. The growing season averages 180 days with rainfall from 6 to 8 inches annually. Red Mountain is located within the larger Yakima Valley, at its easternmost tip. |
