A warm site on the north side of the Columbia River, the vines grow on a south facing slope. The low vigor soil, remnants of the flood events and volcanic activity along the Columbia River basin, is great for vine balance and modest canopy.

Marie-Eve comments: Alder Ridge fruit requires an iron hand in a velvet glove. The lower yields allow very deep flavors yet an intense structure that can be overwhelming if not handled with care.

Part of the Milbrant Vineyards, Clifton Hill includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah varietals on the western edge of the Wahluke on a west slope facing the Columbia River. It is a very hot site with basalt outcroppings nearby and sandy, gravel based soils over a gravel subsoil. The site produces grapes with large amounts of fruit flavors and mild tannins.

Marie-Eve comments: Wines sourced from these grapes exhibit the same qualities as those sourced from Red Mountain: big and bold with full structure. If they are coupled with appropriate fine oak, these wines exhibit lots of fruit and deep structure.

Derived from the Chinook for "clipped sun", Klipsun Vineyard is located on the western edge of Red Mountain on southwestern facing slopes overlooking the Yakima River. It is one of the warmest and driest vineyard locations in Washington and produces grapes with intense concentration and depth.

Dick Boushey produces some of the finest wine grapes in Washington and we source from three of his vineyards.

In 1993 Dick planted the Home Place Merlot Vineyard. The soil is Burke silt loam soil overlaying fractured basalt. The elevation is 1200ft with southerly exposure. Planted in 1980, Mohar Merlot vineyard soil is deep Warden Loam with a gradual southwesterly slope. Due to the deep soils and the age of the vines, it is dry farmed.

The Syrah, located at the base of Rattlesnake Hills at 1200 feet elevation on a south facing slope, was planted in 1997 in Burke silt loam over fractured basalt. The source of the Syrah wood is Mike Sauer's "Red Willow" vineyard and is the "Phelps" clone.

Marie-Eve comments: One of Forgeron's favorite vineyards, it produces very elegant fruit; the colder site allows lots and lots of cherry and black currant flavors

Located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains at the 1200 foot level, Norm and Shane McKibben started planting in 2001. Technology is used throughout including a wireless controlled precision controlled irrigation system. The soils are very uniform and deep silt-loam producing some unique characteristics even in the young fruit.

Marie-Eve comments: We are leasing 10 acres of this new vineyard as it is one of the warmest, frost-free sites in the Walla Walla Valley. Grapes sourced from here are for big, bold wines with very concentrated and dark flavors.

Pepper Bridge Vineyard combines cutting edge technology and sustainable agricultural to produce some of the most sought after grapes in Washington. The vineyard's soil is Walla Walla Silt Loam which is composed of wind-blown glacial loess (a young and nutrient rich soil). This vineyard produces supple, elegant fruit which melds perfectly with our winemaking style.