Celilo Vineyard is said to be home to some of the oldest vinifera vines in state of Washington and is only 60-plus acres that occupy a southeast-facing slope on Underwood Mountain, an extinct volcano high above the Columbia River. The land had once been an apple orchard and now grows gewürztraminers, chardonnays & pinot gris. Celilo is unusual in almost every way. t has no winery, relying on others to make wines from it's grapes. All of the vineyard is dry-farmed (unirrigated). It's "subalpine," situated on a climatic cusp. Wet, maritime weather blows in from the west, while warm, dry air flows down the gorge from the eastern Washington desert. Celilo's proximity to the Cascade Mountains ensures that rainfall will be substantial, an average of 50 inches annually. Celilo's perch above the Columbia River is more than a photo op; it also helps to mitigate the severe freeze conditions that can affect vines in many other Washington growing sites. The elevation (800-1200 feet) and slope prevent fog and cold air from sitting on the vines. No wind machine or smudge pots have ever been needed or used, no insecticides either. The soil, too, is unique: a fine , porous powder that comes loaded with buckshot-sized pebbles. These are about the size and shape of ball bearings and ensure that the vineyard percolates well. This layer of volcanic soil runs as far down as 45 feet, where it hits lava rock, trapping the snowmelt and holding water during the dry summer. As elsewhere in Washington, the drop in temperature at night during the final weeks of ripening preserves grape acids, while the warm days and southeast-facing slope give the vines the maximum amount of time in the sun, allowing the sugars to ripen fully. Finally, there is a persistent wind funneling through the gorge. It toughens the skins, helps to control mildew and rot, and concentrates the juices. Not too surprising, giving it's location, Celilo experiences more variation in vintage conditions than most sites in Washington.
Champoux Vineyard (pronounced like shampoo) is said to be where the state's greatest old vine cabernet is located. Grapes grown in the vineyard have been used to produce some of the most critically acclaimed Washington wines with the name Champoux regularly being featured on vineyard designated wines. The land that would become Champoux Vineyard was originally part of the expansive Mercer Ranch. The 6,600-acre ranch featured vast plantings of several agriculture crops including carrots, corn, potatoes. In the early 1970's, the ranch's owner decided to plan a vineyard. The site of the original block was chosen by mere happenstance since it was an isolated segment of the ranch by the main road that was out of the reach of circle irrigation sprinklers that would have be needed if the land was to be usable for another agricultural crop. While not a certified organic vineyard, Champoux vineyard is farmed with an emphasis on environmental awareness. No synthetic fertilizers has been used on the property in over 20 years with cover crops and compost used to help sustain the microbial activity in the soil. Sineann winery makes a yummy bottle of wine which he has named Baby Poux - how appropriate for our little baby!
Celilo is located in the Columbia Gorge AVA* and Champoux is in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. These AVA's are nestled next to each other much like I'm sure our girls will be!
*AVA stands for American Viticutural Area
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