Before I talk about our wonderful vineyards, a few concepts are important to review:

Terroir
A simple definition of terroir is "all of the factors in the vineyard that influence the unique character and flavor of the fruit". These factors include trellising techniques, irrigation practices, temperature, soil type (in particular its fertility and water holding capabilities), aspect to the sun and slope, and yearly rainfall amounts.


Trellising
Most vineyards in the area incorporate a type of vertical shoot positioning (VSP) where canes are trained off the cordon to grow straight up. Also commonly found with many of our vineyards is a method called a Smart-Dyson system. This system is like a VSP system but the canes on the East side of the vine are pulled down using a wire to allow for more sunlight penetration in the fruiting zone. The West side of the vine receives the afternoon sun so the vertically positioned canes allow just enough sunlight in.

Irrigation
Many of the Walla Walla vineyards use the latest technology in water application. Multiple on site weather stations monitor and record influencing weather factors like temperature, relative humidity, wind direction, and speed. This information is automatically downloaded to a laptop and aids in determining vineyard operations and vine needs. Water management needs are monitored by neutron probe, which indicate available water in the vine's root zones. These high tech instruments aid the grower in maintaining optimal vine health and fruit quality, however, nothing replaces walking the rows regularly and "listening" to the vineyard. The best winemakers spend a lot of time in the vineyard.

Soils
Soils from our vineyard sources vary tremendously. I've been quoted as saying you could teach a geology class with one shovel full of soil from each of our vineyards. Some soils are a very porous, sandy loess (defined as very fine wind-blown sand with low nutrient content and high porosity). Others are a mix of sandy loess and caleche layers or rocks and still others are all river rock with very little soil. These light soil types allow the grower to regulate water and nutritional needs to the vine, thus encouraging the vine to set a small crop (about 2.75 tons/acre for us) and apply its energy in ripening the fruit. These different soils are a large part of the terroir of a vineyard. You can actually taste the expression of terroir in our wines.

Low-Impact Farming and Biodynamics
Whitman Cellars is proud to work with grape growers and vineyard managers incorporating environmentally safe cultivation practices such as non-herbicide weed control, low water usage drip systems, and organic fertilizers. There is a wide spread practice of a system of farming similar to the French concept of biodynamics, in which growers are incorporating and promoting a natural state of health between vine and earth using fungi and bacteria in conjunction with small additions of organic matter which allows the breakdown of soils and provide needed nutrition to the vine. Without this naturally occurring biology in the soil, the soil will stay "bound" and not make available the nutrients it contains.

The Walla Walla appellation is an amazing diversity in terroir resulting from the great floods from lake Missoula some 2,500 years ago. At Whitman Cellars, we take advantage of this diversity and contract our fruit from vineyards from all different microclimates, which have proven to be the best locations to grow each particular varietal. For example, a slightly cooler site to grow our Viognier to allow for slow ripening and retention of the natural acids for a crisp, clean, fruity wine, or a slightly warmer site for Cabernet Sauvignon to ensure full physiological maturity and big, ripe flavors.

Whitman Cellars Sources Grapes From the Following Vineyards:

Seven Hills Vineyard
One of the best known vineyards in the Northwest, Seven Hills is located on the southern end of the Walla Walla appellation. Seven Hills has a tremendous record of producing some of the best wines in the country. Its vast size (about 170 acres) and intense diversity produce a multitude of vinifera varieties. It also shows unique terroir differences among single varieties planted in different microclimates within the vineyard. In addition to Syrah and Merlot, we produce from Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon grown down in the rocks of the ancient riverbed as well as those grown from the higher, sandy, Southern-facing slopes.

Pepperbridge Vineyard
Located just South of Walla Walla, this vineyard is lowest in elevation and is situated on very porous, fine, sandy soil. The excellent drainage capabilities of the soil make it a premier site for rich and intense Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Merlot.

Les Colene Vineyard
An exposed site at about 900 feet in elevation, and East of Walla Walla, the Les Colene Vineyard is an excellent site for Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Soils are a deep porous sandy loess with some rock.

Waliser Vineyard
Situated on the rocky ancient riverbed, the Waliser Vineyard produces distinctive floral Cabernet Franc.

Cougar Crest Vineyard
At the base of the Seven Hills Vineyard, the Cougar Crest Vineyard produce Viognier and Syrah of stand alone quality.

Yellowjacket Vineyard
This new vineyard is a real gem, situated on the rocks of the ancient riverbed, trained on a VSP system, yielding about 1.5 tons per acre and producing beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon.

Spofford Station
A fertile site close to the Les Colene Vineyard, the Spofford Station Vineyard is an exceptional Syrah Vineyard with deep sandy loess and excellent management practices.

Red Mountain Vineyard (Red Mountain AVA)
The Red Mountain Vineyard produces great fruit. Our winemaker, after six years at Hedges on Red Mountain, will continue to keep a few tons of Cabernet Sauvignon for our port style wine. He has used a little to blend with our table wines this year with excellent results. The Red Mountain Vineyard is a very warm site on very porous, sandy loess producing big, forward, intense wines.