John always knows he is on the right track with our Bramble Bump Red blend when Peggy tastes it early-on and tells him that it is as good as our Founders Reserve. Our 2021 BBR features Carménère from both Seven Hills Vineyard and our estate vineyard, Margaret's Vineyard. John and the winemaking team strove to make a wine that is rich, smooth and delicious that can be enjoyed right away (it will age nicely, but drink up and we think you will see why). This wine is considered Columbia Valley AVA because the grapes come from several sub apellations including Walla Walla, The Royal Slope, and Yakima Valley. The flavors are representative of the name of the wine; Brambly, dark fruit and a beautiful hint of black pepper from the Carménère. Enjoy!

Carmenérè is a unique grape, originating in Bordeaux, but found mostly in Chile these days. We planted our Carmenérè in Margaret’s Vineyard in 2007, but John’s first vintage of Carmenérè was 2007, sourced from Seven Hills Vineyard. Our 2022 Carmenérè includes Margaret’s Vineyard Carmenérè , and Seven Hills Carmenérè from the same block we picked from in 2007. The 2022 vintage of this wine has the rich dark pepper character unique to the Carmenérè grape. Aged for eighteen months in 60% new French oak, this wine drinks beautifully now but should age well for 10+ years. Enjoy!

Classic right bank Bordeaux wines feature Merlot and Cabernet Franc. We started making this wine back in 2017, and each vintage has been a showcase for one of the great vineyards of Washington State, Champoux Vineyard. Each vintage of this wine has been rated 93 points or better by international wine critics. The Merlot shows a beautiful Bing cherry aroma and flavor, and the Cabernet Franc provides a traditional pepper character reminiscent of some of the great right bank Bordeaux wines of France. Cheers!

The first vintage of Ancora Imparo was produced in 2018, when John was experimenting with fermenting and aging grenache in a clay amphora vessel. He wanted to name the resulting wine, “My Experiment”. (Peggy vetoed that name thinking it might scare folks off.) Fortunately, John came across a famous Michelangelo quote from when the artist was 87 years old. When asked how he continued to improve upon his craft, Michelangelo’s answer was, “Ancora Imparo”, an Italian phrase loosely translated to “Yet I Learn”. John is busy preparing for his 27th harvest, and lives by this motto. The 2022 vintage is 100% Grenache. 80% was fermented and aged in French oak (50% new and 50% once used), the remaining 20% of the wine was fermented and aged in a clay amphora. This Ancora Imparo showcases an explosion of luscious marionberry and ripe raspberry flavors and aromas that linger throughout the palate and finish with just a hint of minerality. Yumm!

2021 was another great vintage for Boushey Vineyard. Dick and Luanne Boushey grow some of the best fruit in the state, and their Clone 174 Syrah we have picked since 2008 is some of the best Syrah anywhere. We hand pick, hand sort, destem and ferment in large French oak vats. We pick Viognier out of Stillwater Creek Vineyard at the same time, and co-ferment 3% Viognier with the Syrah bringing out a beautiful aroma and solidifying the dark color of the Syrah (this is an enzymatic reaction between the Viognier white grapes and the Syrah red grapes). John asked our production team to taste and here is Amber Schmitt’s review: “The aroma of this wine brings forward notes of savory spices (thyme and rosemary) and violets. The wine is medium bodied, yet silky with a lengthy finish. Blackberry on the palate rounding out with dark chocolate shavings and notes of cured meats. A perfect bottle to enjoy around the fire.” Have fun and enjoy!