CONSIDERATIONS FOR GROWING GRAPES FOR SPARKLING WINE PRODUCTION IN WASHINGTON STATE WAWGG 2/4/2009

Introduction and Outline of Discussion  Introduction  Columbia Crest Estate Vineyard (V10)  Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard (V12)  Heily Vineyard  JMST Vineyard (Formerly Four Feathers)  Conclusion  Growing Considerations

Columbia Crest Estate Vineyard

Columbia Crest Estate Vineyard Vineyard Facts  Variety: Chardonnay  Year Planted: 1990  Density: 807 (Plants/Acre)  Training system: 2X Unilateral  Trellis System: 3 Wire Vertical  Irrigation System: Drip

Columbia Crest Estate Vineyard Vineyard Facts  Clone: 6?  Soil: Quincy Loamy Sand  Elevation: 545 ft. – 600 ft.  Slope: South  Heat Units: 3091 (Base 50; 5 Year Average)  AVA: Horse Heaven Hills

Canoe Ridge

Canoe Ridge Vineyard Facts  Variety: Chardonnay  Year Planted: 1992  Density: 807 (Plants/Acre)  Training system: 2X Unilateral  Trellis System: 3 Wire Vertical  Irrigation System: Drip

Canoe Ridge Vineyard Facts  Clone: 6 or 15?  Soil: Quincy Loamy Sand  Elevation: 475 ft. – 530ft.  Slope: South  Heat Units: 3324 (Base 50; 9 Year Average)  AVA: Horse Heaven Hills

Heily Vineyard

Heily Vineyard Vineyard Facts  Variety: Chardonnay  Year Planted: 1984  Density: 726 (Plants/Acre)  Training System: Unilateral  Trellis System: 2 Wire Vertical  Irrigation System: Drip

Heily Vineyard Vineyard Facts  Clone: 6?  Soil: ~76% Selah Silt Loam, 16% Gorst Loam, 8% Moxee Silt Loam  Elevation: 1425 ft. – 1510 ft.  Slope: South  Heat Units: ~1943 (Base 50; 9 Year Average)  AVA: Columbia Valley

JMST Inc.

JMST Vineyard Vineyard Facts  Variety: Chardonnay  Year Planted: 1997  Density: 807 (Plants/Acre)  Training System: Bilateral & 2X Unilateral  Trellis System: VSP  Irrigation System: Drip

JMST Vineyard Vineyard Facts  Clone: 6 or 15?  Soil: ~50% Ritzville Silt Loam, 50% Willis Silt Loam  Elevation: 1675 ft. – 1755 ft.  Slope: East  Heat Units: ~3352 (Base 50; 9 Year Average)  AVA: Columbia Valley

Vineyard Comparisons Columbia CrestCanoe RidgeHeilyJMST Varity:Chardonnay Year Planted: Density: Training System:2X Unilateral UnilateralBilateral & Unilateral Trellis System:3 Wire Vert. 2 Wire Vert.VSP Irrigation :Drip Clone :6?6 or 15?6?6 or 15? Soil:Quincy Sandy Loam Silt Loam, LoamSilt Loam Elevation (ft) : Slope:South East Heat Units: ~ 1942~ 3352 AVA:HHH Columbia Valley

Conclusions  In my experience, no one site has been found to be the perfect Washington State sparkling wine site.  Sparkling wine grapes can be grown for quality on a wide variety of soil types and site situations, and can thrive under various climatic conditions.  An intimate understanding of your site, and working closely with your winemaker on their specifications are the two most important attributes of a great sparkling wine grape grower.

Growing Considerations  Understand your site: soil, heat units, topography and orientation, pest pressure…..  Work closely with winemaking staff: understand winery goals for your site and know how your grapes are expected to complement the overall blend.  Understand that quality grapes are needed for quality sparkling wine.

Growing Considerations  Even though quality sparkling grapes can be produced in a wide variety of situations, a grower is going to need to adapt their management practices to their particular site.  Crop Load  Canopy

Growing Considerations  Fruit Exposure  Clones???  Do what you love and love what you do; there is no substitute for passion.

Special Thanks…..  Jennifer Herrmann – Lead Viticulturist, SMWE  Rick Casqueiro – Winemaker, Domaine Ste. Michelle  Michel Salgues – Sparkling Wine Consultant

Contact Information  Derek Way – Vineyard Manager, Sagemoor Vineyards Phone: (509)