Columbia Valley Viticulture Overview

Soils

Soils in the region influence fruit quality. Generally, they are deep and sand?based, with varying degrees of gravel, silt and loam. Their low fertility and quick drainage make them poor for many annual crops, but ideal for grapes. Weak soils make the vines struggle for water and nutrients, driving the plant to put its energy into ripening the grape seeds, a sure way to get delicious fruit.

Rainfall

Washington grape growers have what few European and even northern California vineyardists have??almost ultimate control over water application.

Annual rainfall in Napa, California, averages between 25 to 35 inches; France's Bordeaux region averages from 20 to 30 inches annually; eastern Washington averages 6 to 8 inches of precipitation. This eastern half of Washington lies in the rain shadow of the Cascades and defies the state's reputation: it's dry, sunny and warm, making it one of America's pre?eminent agricultural producers.

Research by Washington State University has shown vine vigor can be controlled through regulated deficit irrigation at certain growing stages of the vine. The research has resulted in a dramatic reduction of water use in Washington vineyards compared to 30 years ago.

Sunlight

The Columbia Valley is at similar latitude to France's Burgundy and Bordeaux wine regions. At the 48th parallel, both areas are far enough south of the North Pole to accumulate heat units and have longer daylight hours than southern regions. The extra daylight provides for more photosynthesis, and the ability to ripen fruit. The Columbia Valley totals about 17 ½ hours of daylight every day at the peak of the summer sun, compared to about 15 ½ hours for vineyards in northern California.

The solar efficiency in the Columbia Valley is extremely high, with more unrestricted sunlight occurring than in Bordeaux. Dramatic temperature swings occur between minimum and maximum temperatures during the short days of fall.

Select Desert Wind product profiles:

1998 Cabernet Sauvignon - Columbia Valley, Washington
2,500 cases produced -- Alcohol 12.84% --TA .61 g/100m1- pH 3.7 -RS 0.0
Release Date: September 2001
100% Cabernet Sauvignon and has concentrated fruit and color. Seventeen months in American oak barrels adds soft vanilla aroma and light texture. Intense blackberry flavors and rich mouth feel are matched by excellent depth and body. A pleasant hint of spice adds to the complexity of this wine

1999 Merlot - Columbia Valley, Washington
2,500 cases produced -- Alcohol 14.8% -- RS 0.0
Release Date: September 2001
This is an intense example of this variety. Very dark garnet in color. Fifteen months in American oak lend the wine a toasted cedar nose and tannins to match its extraordinary fruits. Deep plum, ripe blackberry and dark chocolate are soft notes pairing with this wine's highly structured backbone.

2000 Semillon - Columbia Valley, Washington
1,200 cases produced -- Alcohol 14.89% -- TA .61 g/100ml - pH 3.7 - RS .018 g/100ml
Release Date: September 2001
This wine has a beautiful aroma and great mouth feel. The aroma is slightly floral with prominent fresh fruit. Light melon and herb flavors are accented by a hint of citrus. A long appealing finish shows more of the wine's body and concentration.

.Information Source:   Desert Wind