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!