Summer 2019 Update and New Project Status

We are excited to report that we have enough participation to make the 2019 vintage feasible. Yesterday, we confirmed an order of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Riverbend Orchard (RBO) in Washington State.  We've worked with RBO numerous times over the years, and its fruit is generally outstanding.  

Below, a few points on our Cabernet Sauvignon for 2019

• Cabernet Sauvignon Clone #8 grown on native rootstock.  Most European vinifera grapes (Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, etc) grow on North American rootstock which is resistant to the phylloxera parasite, which nearly destroyed European vineyards in the 1850's.  Most of Washington and BC is too dry and hot for phylloxera to be an issue - hence the plants grow on native roots
• Planted in 1998.  The vines are fully mature
• Yield is 3-3.5 tons of grapes per acre, which is a moderate amount of fruit production.  Generally, the lower the yield, the more intense the fruit flavours.
• The vineyard is in the centre of the Wahluke Slope, surrounded on 3 sides (W, N, E) by apple orchards, and potatoes on the south.  The vineyard is south facing, sloping ~3%.  The soil throughout the vineyard is consistently deep, loamy, fine sand over extremely gravely sand, and is very well drained.  Very good terroir!
• A map of the vineyard can be found at https://bit.ly/2Sdy12j