Wine Making
Boushey Vineyards
Boushey’s 60-acre vineyard is located on the outskirts of Grandview and highly allocated to more than 20 wineries. Because the Yakima Valley is cooler than Red Mountain to the East and Wahluke Slope to the North, Dick Boushey is able to let his grapes hang a few weeks longer, accumulating complex flavors without over ripening. The Merlot block next to the Boushey’s home is grown exclusively for Forgeron, the soil is poor and rocky, providing concentrated grapes. Forgeron Syrah and Merlot blocks were planted in 1997.
The elevation at the highest point of Boushey Vineyard (Birdhouse) is at 1400 feet with soil consisting of silt loam, windblown loess and deposits from the Missoula floods, all on top of fractured basalt. Mild temperatures, layered soils and longer hanging times add great phenolic ripeness. The wines made from these grapes are well balanced (lower alcohol, better acidity) and offer a very pure expression of fruit. The Road block is at 1200 feet with roughly the same soil composition.
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.