Our Vineyards
We make wine with one foot in the vineyard.
To make world-class wine, you have to have, and grow, world-class grapes. Along with our 35-acre Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley, we source fruit from some of the most-established Washington State growers, whose grapes have proven over the course of our state’s history to provide the best possible material for winemaking that we can procure. You can learn more about our Estate Vineyard below, as well as our esteemed vineyard relationships.
Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard
The Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard was established in 1977, on what was the Small family's fourth generation dryland wheat farm. Woodward Canyon is the western most vineyard in Walla Walla Valley AVA, roughly 15 miles west of Walla Walla, Washington. The Vineyard rests within a 320 acre farmstead containing 35 vineyard acres planted and several more acres of green belts that support native species such as western juniper, ponderosa pine, western sagebrush, arrowleaf, balsamroot, and perennial wildflowers.
Established: 1977
Aspect: North-South
Slope: Up to 15-18% in places
Acreage: 35
Elevation: 750-850 ft.
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley AVA
Location: West most vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley, AVA located on family land in Lowden WA, 15 miles west of Walla Walla.
Soils: Ritzville silt loam over fractured basalt
Certification: Certified Salmon Safe
Ownership / Management: Woodward Canyon Winery
Esteemed vineyard relationships
Champoux Vineyard
Champoux was founded in 1972 by Don Mercer and originally called Mercer Ranch Vineyards. In 1996 Paul and Judy Champoux along with fellow Washington State producers Woodward Canyon, Powers Winery, Quilceda Creek Winery and Andrew Will Winery invested with Paul and Judy to purchased from the Mercers. Champoux Vineyard is located above the Columbia River within the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The original Cabernet Sauvignon plantings of the famed "Block One" are regarded as being among the oldest and finest in Washington State and are one of the key components of our Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon.
Established: 1972
Aspect: South East
Slope: 3%
Acreage: 187
Elevation: 680 ft.
Appellation: Horse Heaven Hills AVA
Location: Near Alderdale, WA, above the Columbia River
Soils: Malaga gravelly fine sandy loam - glacial outwash; warden silt loam - loess over lacustrine deposits; Sagehill fine sandy loam - lacustrine deposits with a mantle of loess
Ownership: Partners consisting of Woodward Canyon Winery, Andrew Will Winery, Powers Winery, Quilceda Creek Winery
Management: Dan Nickolaus
Sagemoor Vineyard
Founded in 1968 through the vision of Alec Bayless, Sagemoor Vineyards was a pioneering effort that helped establish the Washington State wine industry. Its early vineyards are among the oldest large-scale plantings of vinifera grapes in the State. Rick began using Sagemoor fruit in his home winemaking days and we continue to use it today. A significant number of 1972 plantings are still producing our highly acclaimed Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from specific rows in Blocks 3 and 9.
Established: 1972
Aspect: Southwest
Slope: 4.5%
Acreage: 97
Elevation: 572 ft.
Appellation: Columbia Valley AVA
Location: Near Pasco, WA above the Colombia River
Soils: Quncey loamy fine sand - mixed eolian Sands; Ottmar silt loam - loess and alluvium over residuum weathered from sandstone, siltstone or shale; Royal loamy fine sand - sandy alluvium
Ownership / Management: One of the five Sagemoor Vineyard properties
Celilo Vineyard
The Celilo Vineyard’s location is considered sub-alpine, sitting on the cusp of a wetter maritime climate to the west and the high desert to the east. Soils from the extinct volcanic cone of Underwood Mountain are deep and retain moisture well, allowing the vines to survive without irrigation. The vines’ deep roots bring concentration and minerality to the wine, and the high levels of natural acidity bring balance to the wines. Celilo Vineyard produces amazing Wente Clone Chardonnay that goes into our Washington State Chardonnay.
Established: 1972
Aspect: South-East
Slope:
Acreage: 71
Elevation: 800-1200 ft.
Appellation: Columbia Gorge AVA
Location: Underwood Mountain above the Columbia River just outside of White Salmon, WA
Soils:
Ownership: Corliss Estates
Management: Washington Vineyards
Weinbau Vineyard
Weinbau has a view of the Rattlesnake Mountains to the south, and the Saddle Mountains to the north. The land slopes gently south, with elevation ranging from 710-950 feet. Weinbau is a warm site with excellent air drainage, and soil is dominated by Kennewick silt loam with 2-5% slope. The consistency of soil type shows up in vine growth and subsequently in the wines.
Established: 1981
Aspect: South
Slope: 2-5%
Acreage: 460
Elevation: 830 ft.
Appellation: Wahluke Slope AVA
Location: 12 miles east of Mattawa, WA, a very level and consistent vineyard, defined as "rangeland"
Soils: Kennewick silt loam - Lacustrine deposited, Taunton silt loam - Alluvial and wind-blown loess
Ownership / Management: One of the five Sagemoor Vineyard properties