THE STORY - FIRST A VINEYARD

       When Jarrod and Ali Boyle christened their 367 acres of land in the Horse Heaven Hills of Washington, the choice of a vineyard name came easily.  With providence playing such a strong role in the acquisition of their viticultural estate, naming it Destiny Ridge Vineyard was a natural.  Naming their brand was equally natural for Jarrod choosing his wife's name, Alexandria Nicole.

       Jarrod was born in Prosser and learned the secrets of successful vineyard management while working as assistant viticulturalist for Hogue Cellars under the tutelage of  Dr. Wade Wolfe who also worked for Hogue.  It was here that wine grape growing and winemaking became Jarrod's passion. 

       While working for Hogue, Jarrod inspected grapes and made grower recommendations for  helping grape varietals achieve their desired characteristics.  One day, Jarrod's routine inspection of a vineyard on Horse Heaven Hills brought about a paradigm shift in Jarrod's career and his life.  It was that day he took particular note of a nearby piece of barren land sloping gently to the south and overlooking the Columbia River.  From that moment forward visions of vineyard blocks danced in his head. 

       Soon after, Jarrod had a casual conversation with an old friend that led him to the telling of his Horse Heaven Hills land discovery and his vision of planting a vineyard there.  Jarrod's friend Rob Mercer (a member of the well-known local farming family) was almost as excited as Jarrod, especially when Rob realized the land of Jarrod's dream was owned by his father... Bud Mercer.  Before long, the Mercer family joined with the Boyle family and the dream of a vineyard on that hillside - Destiny Ridge Vineyard - was born.  The first vines were planted in the fall of 1998. 

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       On high bluffs overlooking the beautiful Columbia River, Washington State's wine region known as Horse Heaven Hills provides a home for Alexandria Nicole Cellars' 367-acre estate where Destiny Ridge Vineyard thrives.  It is here - high on the dominant ridge line - that 18 grape varietals are planted to 267 acres that currently comprise the vineyard.  The first vines for Destiny Ridge Vineyard were planted in the fall of 1998, seven years before Horse Heaven Hills was federally authorized as an official American Viticulture Area (AVA).

       Within the vineyard lie four different soil types, each producing unique flavors and characteristics in the specific varietals grown there.  Each terroir proved to have its own message sent through its ripened grapes.  It was here that a passionate man learned patience; Jarrod Boyle waited with optimistic excitement for the final fruits to come of age.  Having worked with many renowned winemakers, Jarrod learned (through experimentation with his own winemaking process) to enhance and reflect the terroir of Destiny Ridge Vineyard in his finished wines. 

        The soils and climatic conditions of the Horse Heaven Hills appellation have demonstrated favorability for growing many wine-grape varietals.  Destiny Ridge Vineyard nurtures many of them, including:

The Geology

       The hills of Destiny Ridge Vineyard are geologic folds in the earth's crust which are responsible for the consistent winds that blow across the land; its windy climate is part of what makes the Horse Heaven Hills' appellation distinct from the large Columbia Valley appellation that surrounds it.  Wind lowers the risk of vineyard disease and pests, while at the same time it stresses the vines by drying them out.  Add quick-draining soils of silty loam to the mix of vineyard characteristics and the need for irrigation becomes even more pronounced.  Drip irrigation is the canopy-management tool of choice to control the vigor of the vines at Destiny Ridge.

       In addition to its distinctive topography, Destiny Ridge Vineyard benefits from its proximity to the Columbia River.  Although it sits approximately 800 feet above the river, the vineyard is relieved of temperature extremes suffered elsewhere in the Columbia Valley AVA, thanks to the modifying effects of the river (with its stirring of air currents) as well as the land's slope toward the river (draining cold air away from the vines). 

        All these factors help produce intense-flavored grapes with a structural balance of sugars and acids.  Add to these factors attentive viticulture management - including balanced crop levels and gentle processing of grapes - and you have the secrets behind consistently excellent harvests at Destiny Ridge Vineyard.

         Fruit not used for the wines of Alexandria Nicole Cellars is sold to other wineries under contract with Destiny Ridge Vineyard. 

VISITING DESTINY RIDGE ESTATE VINEYARD
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Tours and tastings at Destiny Ridge Vineyard are available and can be scheduled by appointment.  The winery located at Destiny Ridge also offers barrel tasting, five-course meals and guided tours of the production facility and through the vineyard by limo.  For more information call 509-786-3497.