The blue waters of the Columbia River flow through Central Washington in an arc that on its western edge pushes against the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. This creates a unique climate; along the western edge of the rain shadow created by the Cascades yet generously supplied with irrigation water from the big river. Humans have created river crossings here that bring together the two sides of the river, engineering feats of steel and concrete.
Dotting the hills and vales between these Columbia River crossings are the vineyards and wineries of the Columbia River Wine Region. The wine trail that connects these wineries traverses some of the most spectacular country in Washington. Vast Ice Age floods carved huge coulees, sheer basalt cliffs, and deposited soil on benches and eddies.
This then is the character of our wines. Our grape growers nurture intense fruit from carefully tended vineyards. These grapes, as a reflection of the environment -terroir- are the key to our wonderful wines. This fruit, in the hands of individuals passionate about coaxing the best from the vine to the cellar- sets the stage for the creation of Columbia River Wines.
