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A Process of Discovery
Rattlesnake Hills
The Rattlesnake Hills are
characterized by an east-west ridge top with highly
dissected canyons, terraces, and ridges running
southward off the main ridge toward the Yakima River.
Vineyards are typically located on ridges and terraces
and in areas with good air
drainage to avoid late spring and early fall frost and
winter kill. Some of the oldest vineyards in
Washington State are located here.
Fifteen wineries and 28 growers
in this area have formed an association to market the
area to the public, and to provide the data required
for for its AVA application, filed in March of 2004. The
Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail association
has completed a website where information about the
growing region and its wineries can be
accessed.
Elevation is one of the chief
definitions of the proposed Rattlesnake Hills AVA.
Vineyards in this area are the highest in the state.
The minimum elevation in the Rattlesnake Hills is 850
feet and the highest vineyard on Elephant Mountain
tops out at 1600 feet.
Growing vinifera below 850 feet
elevation in this region has proven to be difficult to
impossible, due to spring and fall frosts and winter
kill, alkali soils, and/or a high water table. If
water is available, it is considered possible to grow
vinifera at elevations up to 2000 feet in the
Rattlesnake Hills.
Taste
Rattlesnake Hills Wine
Horse Heaven Hills
The proposed Horse Heaven
Hills appellation is also naturally bounded... on the north
by
 the
Yakima Valley appellation and on the south by the Columbia
River.
Inland
from the river ridges,
Horse Heaven Hills is home to a variety of established
vineyards such as the Champoux Vineyard and Destiny Ridge
Vineyard (both formerly of Mercer Ranch) and the Andrew Vineyard.
These hills are
geologic folds
in the earth's crust which
account for the consistent, cool breezes that blow across
the land, lowering the
risk of
vineyard disease and pests. Horse Heaven Hills'
proximity to the Columbia River Gorge also benefits this
growing area as a moderating influence on temperature
extremes. The area's distinctive
topography offers many advantages... steep, south-facing
slopes and moderation of temperature extremes by its
proximity to the Columbia River Gorge.
Quick-draining soils of silty loam are deposited on a rocky
volcanic base of fractured basalt. Wine grapes from this area
are known for their structural balance of sugars and acids.
Some of the outstanding sites that
have been developed here are located on Canoe Ridge,
Alder Ridge, and Zephyr Ridge. Alder Ridge shares the
same soil composition as Canoe Ridge but with areas of
fractured basalt and caliche.
Horse Heaver Hills' Champoux Vineyard
was planted to Cabernet Sauvignon a full 30 years ago,
accounting for
Woodward Canyon's "Old
Vines" label
for its wines from this area.
Taste Horse Heaven Hills Wine
Columbia Gorge and Columbia Cascade regions - continue...
Copyright © 2004- 2008 Susan R. O'Hara. All rights reserved.
Last revised:
December 31, 2007
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