Spice Cabinet Vineyard, a unique 18-acre site, sits adjacent to the Columbia River on the Mercer family farm. A deep sandy soil that has blown over the rock bluffs above & a steep south east aspect create site characteristics that are similar to areas in the Rhone. Planted with a wide-array of varietals, this vineyard truly is our winery’s spice cabinet.
LOCATION: Alderdale Region (35 miles SW of Prosser, WA)
APPELLATION: Horse Heaven Hills
YEAR PLANTED: 2009-2010
SIZE: 18 acres, 5 blocks
ELEVATION: 450-500 ft.
VARIETALS: Malbec 32%, Cabernet Sauvignon 29%, Grenache 10%, Petit Verdot 7%, Sangiovese 6%, Syrah 6%, Petit Syrah 5%, Merlot 4%, Mourvedre 2%
SOIL SERIES: Quincy; generally associated with excessively drained, coarse textured soils on dune-like terraces. The parent material was windblown sand derived from granite, basalt and quartzite.
MICRO-CLIMATE: Warm – Long Term Average GDD 3054. Semi-Arid – Annual rainfall averages 6-9 inches, primarily in the winter months
AVERAGE YIELD: 4-5 tons per acre
ASPECT: Row orientation adjusts according to slop; west to east and north to south
UNIQUE ASPECTS: Proximity to the Columbia River ensures constant movement of airflow which provides the advantage of extra frost free days and lower mildew pressure
WINES FROM THIS VINEYARD: Estates Grenache, Estates Malbec, Estates Mourvedre, Estates Petit Verdot, Estates Sangiovese, Estates Rosé, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Ode to Brothers, Reserve Cavalie, Reserve Syrah, Reserve Malbec
Get the fact sheet