COUGAR HILLS VINEYARD:

Cougar Hills Vineyard is located a quarter mile west of Stellar Vineyard and is a stone's throw from the site of the original Seven Hills Vineyard planted 28 years ago that began the Walla Walla legacy of quality vineyards. As the name implies, there is a hill in this vineyard. The elevation is 800 feet at the base and rises to 830 at the top of the hill. The soil type here is much like that of Stellar Vineyard with Ritzville loam, gravel, and river rock. A layer of volcanic ash is also present about 3 feet below the surface and is a valuable source of nutrients for the vines. The laboratory experts say the ash probably came from Mount Mazama when it blew up and created Crater Lake.

The vine orientation, vertical shoot positioning, ground cover, irrigation, and testing are done in the same fashion as at Stellar Vineyard. In addition, all of our vineyards are equipped with wind machines for frost control. This helps mix the warmer air that is 20-30 feet above the ground with the colder air at ground level and can save the plants and buds from cold damage. Grapes have two frost seasons where temperature is critical. In the springtime we are protecting the young shoots and buds, and in the fall we are protecting the foliage from early frosts that can kill the leaves that provide nutrition to ripen the grapes. Both frost seasons usually require being in the vineyard between midnight and 7am to turn the machines on!

GOLDEN'S LEGACY VINEYARD:

Golden's Legacy is located slightly east and north of the other two vineyards. It is named for the medical doctor who originally lived here. Eighty-five years ago, he built the home we live in today, and planted white wine grapes. This was during Prohibition, but as a medical doctor he was able to prescribe wine for "medicinal purposes". There are many people in their 70's and 80's today who can tell stories of their youthful experiences with his wine, including Dave's father. It appears that he not only had a thriving medical practice, but he may have also been the only winery in Walla Walla during prohibition! The vineyard soil here is also Ritzville loam, but with an abundance of round river rock that goes as deep as you care to dig. Rock and gravel are important features in the soil of our vineyards. They keep the soil from compacting and maintain good water drainage. Controlling water supply to the grapes is one of the most important factors for quality.

There are two varietals planted at Golden's Legacy, Syrah and Viognier. As with the other vineyards, the row orientation is north-south, and the vine training, irrigation, and other parameters are the same as the other vineyards.