Director of Production: Rick
Small
Winemaker: Kevin Mott
Proprietors: Rick
Small and
Darcey Fugman-Small
Vineyard Acreage:
41 acres estate
Partner in Champoux Vineyard
Also contract with other
select Washington vineyards
Products:
Cabernet sauvignon,
Merlot, Dolcetto,
Barbera, Meritage (Red & White),
Pinot noir, Red Table Wine,
Chardonnay,
Sauvignon blanc,
White riesling
Average Annual Production:
13,000 cases
Tasting Room Hours: Daily 10 am-5 pm
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I n t e n s i t y i s t h e K e y
Woodward
Canyon Winery was one of the first two wineries to help put the Walla Walla Valley on the
Washington wine map. From its first powerful 1981 cabernet sauvignon to its current
releases, Woodward Canyon wines, as well as its winemakers Rick Small and
Kevin Mott, are invariably
described as intense.
Intensity
begins with terroir, concludes Rick Small. Characteristics of climate and soil indigenous
to particular sites are brought out and enhanced in Woodward Canyon wines. From
barrel-fermented, mouth-filling chardonnays to ripe, fruity merlots and focused
cabernet
sauvignons, Woodward Canyon wines have always benefited at the hands of winemakers intent on producing the
best of super-premium wines -- winemakers committed to using fruit from specific
vineyards.
Terroir
diversity brings the variety of flavors, texture, structure and character found in
Woodward Canyon wines. Old-block vineyards of Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills provide mature vines from ancient soils for big,
well-structured wines; the silty loam soil
of the newer
vineyard, Pepper Bridge, in the Walla Walla appellation, produces rich flavors and supple
textures; Celilo Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge appellation and other vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley bring complexity to
Woodward's award-winning chardonnays.
Woodward
Canyon's own vineyards are near the winery and are intensely managed. With
only 12" of rain per year, the vineyards benefit from drip irrigation made
possible by a small water tank installed by Rick Small early in the planting
stages of his estate vineyards. The vineyards now include cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc,
sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, dolcetto and barbera.
Awards
and high rankings in trade publications build a loyal following for Woodward Canyon wines.
Be sure to slow your drive on Hwy 12 as you approach "Downtown" Lowden. Stop in
at Woodward Canyon's tasting room in an historic onsite farm house and
taste the distinctive wines everyone is talking about.
Featured Woodward Canyon
Wines Notes by Rick Small
10% case discount on all wines, including mixed
cases!
2004 "Old Vines" Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
$75.00 750ml bottle
Order Now $165.00 1.5L bottle
Order Now Composition: 95.5% cabernet sauvignon, 4.5% petit verdot
"Excellent" - Wine Press NW
This 2004 Columbia Valley 'Old Vines' Cabernet Sauvignon is produced
from grapes that were planted in the very early 1970's. The grapes were
harvest by hand from Champoux Vineyard (59%) and Sagemoor Vineyard
(37%), both on benches overlooking the Columbia River in southeastern
Washington. Petit Verdot, roughly 4%, grown at the Woodward Canyon
Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley completes and improves the
blend. The 2004 vintage was warm, though not as warm as 2003.
The wine was pumped over and punched down two to three times per day in
small stainless steel tanks. Average fermentation was between seven and
twelve days with one or two tanks given extend maceration time. After
pressing and racking, the various lots were moved to new French chateau
barrels for aging and maturation. In late May of 2006 this wine was
racked from barrel, assembled and bottled the middle part of June that
same year.
This 2004 'Old Vines' Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich and powerful red
wine. It expresses the purity of fully mature cabernet sauvignon fruit
that one only can get from 35 year old vines. The petit verdot offers
another layer of complexity and broadens the flavor profile of the wine
beautifully. Flavors of dried black cherry and cassis married with spicy
new oak and vanilla coats the mouth. The texture is soft and silky yet
there are firm mature tannins in the rich, long finish. The color is
dark blackish purple and complex fruit aromas leap from the glass. This
red wine will benefit greatly from additional cellaring and, with proper
storage, should last for twelve years or more. 929 cases produced
2005
Artist Series #14 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley 100% Cabernet Sauvignon $23.50 375ml bottle
Order Now $44.00 750ml bottle
Order Now $98.00 1.5L bottle
Order Now Take 20% off a case or more of this new release
This 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from grapes
grown primarily at Champoux, Sagemoor, Klipsun and Tapteil Vineyards.
These four vineyards are some of the most highly regarded properties in
Washington State and produce fantastic wines in their own right. In
blend, they produce extraordinary wine.
The 2005 vintage was one of the finest that I have ever experienced. We
achieved extraordinary ripening with physiological maturity achieved
through leaf stripping, green harvesting and generally improved cultural
practices throughout the vineyards. This Cabernet Sauvignon was
fermented in very small stainless steel tanks and was punched down or
pumped over twice a day. Aging in predominantly new French Chateaux
barrels has produced a complex and generous red wine.
This wine has a generous nose of spicy oak and cedar integrated with
ripe black fruits and cherry. A sweet, rich mouth feel begins with
cassis and ripe black berry leading towards chocolate and mocha. The
finish is complex, generous and long. While this wine can be enjoyed now
it will definitely benefit from additional cellaring and with proper
storage should develop for eight years or more. Production: 2,637
cases 750 ml, 169 cases 375 ml, 60 cases 1.5L
Alcohol: 14.8% by Volume
Time in Oak: 20 Months
Release Date: Winter 2008
2005 Nelms Road Merlot Columbia Valley
$21.00 750ml
bottle
Order Now Blend: 76% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc, 7% Cab Sauv; 4%
Barbera, 3% Syrah
This 2005 Nelms Road Merlot was produced from grapes
grown at younger vineyards, several declassified lots of wine and a
significant amount of press wine. The continued program of
declassification at Woodward Canyon in the vineyard and the winery has
allowed us to create such attractive and affordable red wines.
The 2005 vintage was another very warm one for Washington State and this
2005 Merlot reflects that. This wine offers beautifully ripe fruit with
flavors of dried ripe cherries and subtle aromas of spice, cut leaf
tobacco, mocha and vanilla. The texture is soft and silky and the finish
is sweet, generous and long.
This red wine is meant for food and would be fantastic with pasta, fine
cheese or 'cheeseburgers' for that matter. While there is ample fruit to
age this wine for several years it has been produced to enjoy young.
With proper storage this wine should age for three to five years.
Production: 2,957
2005 Estate Red
Walla Walla Valley
$59.00 750ml bottle
Order Now $128.00 1.5L bottle
Order Now Varietal Composition: 68% Merlot; 15% Cabernet franc;
11% Cabernet sauvignon; 6% Petit verdot
This Woodward Canyon Estate Red is from the finest
Estate Vineyard lots produced in 2005. It is wonderful to once again
produce this wine after a one year hiatus due to the freezing weather of
2004. The Estate Vineyard has always been a rather low yielding property
and 2005 was no different. Average yield was around two tons or about
125 cases of wine per acre. In 2005 our merlot was truly superb and as a
result became a larger portion of the final blend. I am simply delighted
with this wine and believe it to be our finest Walla Walla red wine
effort to date!
This wine was fermented in small open top tanks with native yeast and
was punched down and/or pumped over two to three times per day. After
pressing this wine went directly to new French chateau barrels for
maturation and development in our cellar. In late May, the wine was
racked from barrel, assembled and bottled the middle of June 2007.
The vintage of 2005 gave perfect physiological ripeness. As might be
expected with such low yields, the resulting wine is concentrated with
generous black fruit and cassis. A breadth of spices and vanilla from
new oak integrate beautifully with firm merlot dominated fruit. A nose
of roasted game, ripe fruit and shaved chocolate develops in the glass;
the color is black purple. The texture, while firm initially,
transitions to a complex suppleness; the finish is rich, layered and
long. For the first time I am able to taste an expression of Woodward
Canyon Vineyard in this wine. With proper cellaring, this wine should
age for ten years or more. Production: 405 cases 750 ml; 24
cases 1.5 L
2006 Dry White
Riesling
Yakima Valley 100% White Riesling $25.00 750ml bottleOrder Now
This 2006 Dry White Riesling is produced entirely from
grapes grown by Hugh and Kathy Shiels on their DuBrul Vineyard in the
Yakima Valley, north of Sunnyside, Washington. This very old, and very
fine vineyard, is located on a significant bench facing south across the
valley. The soil, comprised of sand, silt, and calcium covered rocks, is
extremely well drained which contributes greatly to the character and
concentration of the fruit and wine.
This wine expresses richness of ripe peach and nectarine, yet is
balanced with great natural acidity. The aromas follow the same fragrant
line and the finish is crisp, fruity and long. The pure expression of
fully mature riesling fruit allows this wine to perfectly accompany
Pacific Rim cuisine or seafood from the Pacific Northwest. While
drinkable now, this exceptional Washington riesling will continue to
develop over the next several years. Production 267 cases
This 2006 Chardonnay was produced from Wente clone
chardonnay grown at Celilo Vineyard (73%) in the Columbia River Gorge
and Woodward Canyon Vineyard Estate chardonnay (23%) grown in the
northwestern edge of the Walla Walla Valley. The grapes were harvested
by hand, sorted and whole cluster pressed. The yield averaged just over
two tons per acre with all grapes harvested by the middle of October.
This wine was fermented in new (40%) and older (60%) barrels from Louis
Latour, Sirugue and Francois Freres. It shows beautiful concentrated
flavors of ripe pear, apple and peach balanced with perfect acidity.
Whole cluster pressing gives beautifully pure fruit, which integrates
perfectly with notes of vanilla, cream and toasted hazelnut. Finally,
the oak is more understated by our choice and is in delightful
proportion with the alcohol and fruit.
Fully mature fruit shows in the mouth, and the texture is smooth and
silky. The finish is complex, generous and long. This wine may be
consumed now but it will benefit substantially with a year in bottle and
should continue to improve for another several years with proper
cellaring. Production: 727 cases
