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I n t e n s i t y i s t h e K e y...
S u s t a i n a b i l i t y t h e v e h i c l e
Woodward
Canyon Winery was one of the first two wineries to help put the Walla Walla Valley on the
Washington wine map. From its first powerful 1981 cabernet sauvignon to its current
releases, Woodward Canyon wines, as well as its winemakers Rick Small and
Kevin Mott, are invariably
described as intense. That intensity drives the winery's commitment to
sustainability
as well, and the "Woody" brand of sustainability aims at a
triple bottom line - one that looks at all
aspects of the overall operation – the environmental
(minimal and safe chemical use), the social (being a good
neighbor and employer) and
the economics systems (making a profit).
"Fundamentally, we’re harvesting an agricultural product,"
reasons co-owner and winemaker Rick Small, "and
with that comes a certain responsibility to the land from which
the fruit comes and to the community in which it is grown. It
means we are actively interested in the well-being of our
employees and of our community (both locally and the larger wine
community); all employees receive a living wage and we
participate year-round in discussions of how to better manage
our natural resources."
The Woodward Canyon commitment to intensity and sustainability
plays out in the relationship between the terroir of the
vineyard and the character of the finished fine wines. Wine intensity
begins with terroir, notes Rick Small. Characteristics of climate and soil indigenous
to particular sites are brought out and enhanced in Woodward Canyon wines. From
barrel-fermented, mouth-filling chardonnays to ripe, fruity merlots and focused
cabernet
sauvignons, Woodward Canyon wines have always benefited at the hands of winemakers intent on producing the
best of super-premium wines using fruit from specific
quality vineyards.
Terroir
diversity brings a variety of flavors, texture, structure and character to Woodward Canyon wines. Old-block vineyards of Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills provide mature vines from ancient soils for big,
well-structured wines; the silty loam soil of the newer
Pepper Bridge vineyard in the Walla Walla appellation produces rich flavors and supple
textures; Celilo Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge appellation and other vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley
are responsible for bringing complexity to
Woodward's award-winning chardonnays.
Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard
Woodward
Canyon's own vineyard is located at nearly 900 feet of elevation three miles
north in Lowden, WA. The soils are
layered with wind-blown loess over Ritzville silt loam over
fractured basalt. The vineyard was first planted in 1977
on third-generation family land previously used for cattle and
wheat production.
Since those early years,
the vineyard has grown to the current 42 acres predominantly planted to
cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc. There are various
experimental northern Italian and Rhone varieties planted as well. The
Walla Walla Valley cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and estate red are
the three principle wines produced from the estate Bordeaux plantings. Very
small amounts of Barbera, Dolcetto and a Grenache blend are also produced
from the Estate.
Be sure to slow your drive on Hwy 12 as you approach "Downtown" Lowden,
just 12 miles west of Walla Walla. Stop in
at Woodward Canyon's tasting room in the historic, onsite farm house, and
taste the distinctive wines everyone is talking about. Or call ahead
and join one of the Private Tastings in the Reserve
House.
Awards and high rankings in trade publications
have built a loyal following for Woodward Canyon wines. If you want to stay current on
the wines and matters of Woodward Canyon Winery,
register
for the winery newsletter.
Featured Woodward Canyon
Wines
Notes by Rick Small
10% case discount on all wines, including mixed
cases!
2009 Estate Barbera
Walla Walla Valley 100% Barbera
$24.00 750ml bottle
Order Now
We have been growing Barbera at
Woodward Canyon for 13 years and tracking every vintage. This
wine expresses a richer, riper and fuller northern-Italian version.
It has a deep, dark color and a generous nose of ripe black fruits;
subtle flavors of vanilla and crisp red fruits all add to the layers
of complexity. This Barbera shows fantastic balance, great
concentration of fruit and soft mature tannins; the finish is
generous, silky and long. Given the balance and proportion of
this wine, it could age for 3 to 4 years, although it drinks
beautifully right now.
Production Notes and General Characteristics:
This Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard Barbera was produced from two
very distinct clones. The grapes were fermented in small stainless
steel tanks and the wine was punched down two times per day. After
pressing, the wine went to predominantly 500 liter Italian barrels;
a very small portion was aged in new French chateau barrels. The
wine is perfect for northern Italian cuisine.
2008 Walla Walla
Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyards: Woodward Canyon Estate, DuBrul Vineyard
Varietal Composition: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon; 10% Cabernet
Franc, 7% Syrah,
3% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot
$39.00 750ml bottle
Order Now 90 points - Wine Advocate
92 points - Wine Enthusiast, December 2010 Buying Guide
In 2008 we saw beautiful ripening with full
physiological maturity achieved through rigorous cultural practices
such as leaf stripping, shoot thinning and green harvesting.
The average yield was around two tons per acre; several blocks were
thinned to one cluster per shoot to insure evenly ripened, fully
mature fruit. Our efforts toward sustainable wine growing are
clearly beginning to show; this is truly exciting stuff!
All grapes were harvested by hand and sorted prior to crushing. Only
perfect clusters were used. This cabernet was fermented in
very small 2000-liter stainless steel tanks and was punched down two
times per day. After pressing and settling, this red wine went
directly to French chateau barrels for additional aging and
maturation.
General Characteristics:
This wine has enticingly high toned aromas of sweet pipe tobacco,
Asian spices, subtle oak and clove that integrate beautifully with
generous black berry/cassis fruit. A rich mouth feel begins with
blackberry leading towards a chocolate/mocha finish that is exotic,
enticingly rich and long. The wine tastes almost sweet. While this
wine may be enjoyed now, it will benefit from additional cellaring
and should continue to develop for six years or more with proper
storage.
2008
Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyards:
Champoux Vineyard (76%), Spring Creek Vineyard (9%), Woodward Canyon
Estate Vineyard (6%), Sagemoor Vineyard (5%) and DuBrul Vineyard (4%)
Varietal Composition: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon; 6% Petit Verdot; 4% Syrah Special Release Pricing through 12/31/10: 750ml, reg. $49, now $44
375ml, reg. $26, now $24
1.5L, reg. $109, now $98
New Release Order Now
This wine has a generous nose of earth, subtle oak
and spiced cocoa integrated with black fruits and very ripe cherry.
A sweet, rich mouth feel begins with cassis and ripe black berry,
leading towards chocolate and mocha. Soft, integrated tannins
enhance the texture and give proportion; the finish is complex,
generous, and long. While this wine can be enjoyed now it will
definitely benefit from additional cellaring and, with proper
storage, should develop for eight years or more.
Vintage Specific Characteristics:
The 2008 vintage was another fabulous one for
"Artist Series" Cabernet Sauvignon, although slightly more elegant,
perhaps than 2007. We saw beautifully ripened fruit in 2008 with
lower yields through shoot thinning, leaf stripping and over all
better viticultural practices. All fruit was in by the middle of
October.
Production Notes and General Characteristics:
This Cabernet Sauvignon was fermented in small
stainless steel tanks and was punched down or pumped over twice a
day. Aging in French Chateaux barrels has produced a well
proportioned, complex and generous red wine. Of our own doing, we
have chosen to back off on the use of new oak as these vineyards
have gotten older allowing them to express typicity and a more
distinct sense of place.
Alcohol: 15.3 % by volume Release Date: December, 2010 Production: 2273 cases 750 ml 238 cases 375ml
62 cases 1.5L
2007 Old
Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 100% Cabernet sauvignon $79.00750ml bottle
Order Now 94 points - August, 2010 Wine Advocate
95 points - Wine Enthusiast, December 2010 Buying Guide
This 2007 Washington State “Old Vines” Cabernet
Sauvignon is produced from grapes that were planted in the early
1970s. In early October cabernet sauvignon grapes were
harvested by hand from Champoux Vineyard (74 %) and from Sagemoor
Vineyard (26 %), both located on two very distinct benches above the
Columbia River in southeastern Washington. The 2007 vintage
was perfect for cabernet allowing for more even ripening without the
heat spikes seen in some years.
The wine was fermented in 2000 liter stainless steel tanks and was
punched down two times per day. Average fermentation was between
seven and ten days. After pressing and racking, the various lots
were moved to new French chateau barrels for aging and maturation.
In late spring of 2009 this wine was racked from barrel, assembled
and bottled the end of June. After two very small vintages,
2005 and 2006, I am delighted to have a larger supply of Old Vine
Cabernet Sauvignon once again.
This “Old Vines” Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and complex yet shows
elegance, restraint and sophistication. It expresses the purity of
fully mature cabernet sauvignon that one only can get from 35 year
old vines. The color is dark red to purple and has complex aromas of
earth, cherry, leather and smoke. Flavors of ripe black cherries and
cassis married with spicy new oak and vanilla coat the mouth. The
texture is soft and silky yet there are mature integrated tannins in
the rich, long finish. I love the proportion this red wine displays
and with proper storage, it should age for ten years easily.
Alcohol: 14.8 % by volume
Bottling Date: June 26, 2009
Release Date: Spring, 2010
Production: 628 cases 750 ml
23 cases 1.5L
2008 Nelms Road Merlot Varietal Composition: 97% Merlot, 3% Dolcetto
$20.00 750ml
bottle
Order Now
This newest bottling of 2008 Nelms
Road Merlot reflects the vintage well and is a great successor to
the beautiful 2007 wine. The Spring Creek and Woodward Canyon Estate
Vineyards were the predominant vineyards in 2008. Add to that some
truly phenomenal press wine from some of the oldest and most
celebrated vineyards in Washington State such as Champoux and
Sagemoor and we can produce an amazing Nelms Road Merlot year after
year.
The warm 2008 vintage gave beautifully ripe fruit
with deep, sweet flavors of dried black fruit, perhaps cassis and
cherry. Complex aromas of graham, oak spices, vanilla and crème
brulée integrate, leading to a long generous finish. The wine is
dark purple in color. This wine was bottled early to retain fruit
and is quite drinkable for a wine so young. While this wine was
produced for early enjoyment, it will improve substantially with
additional time in bottle. With proper storage this wine should
easily age well for five years.
Alcohol: 14.1% Release Date: Spring 2010 Production: 2,295 cases
2006 Estate Red
Walla Walla Valley
$59.00 750ml bottle
Order Now $138.00 1.5L bottle
Order Now Varietal Composition: 42% Cabernet franc; 35% Merlot;
14%
Cabernet sauvignon;
9% Petit verdot
Double Gold - 2010 Seattle Wine Awards
91 points - Wine Spectator
95 points - Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast
This Woodward Canyon Estate Red is from the finest
lots of Woodward Canyon's Estate Vineyard which is certified
sustainable and Salmon Safe. It is wonderful to once
again produce such a classic Walla Walla Valley red wine. The
Estate Vineyard has always been a rather low-yielding property and
2006 was no different. Average yield was less than two tons
per acre. This particular vintage is soft, generous and more
approachable.
The wine was fermented in small open top tanks with native yeast and
was punched down and/or pumped over two times per day. After
pressing, this wine went directly to new French chateau barrels for
maturation and development. In June, the wine was racked from
barrel, assembled and bottled the middle of July 2008.
The vintage of 2006 gave perfect physiological
ripeness. As might be expected with such low yields, the resulting
wine is concentrated with generous black fruit and cassis. A breadth
of spices and vanilla from new oak integrate beautifully with firm
fruit. A nose of roasted game, ripe fruit and shaved chocolate
develops in the glass; the color is reddish purple. A soft, generous
texture transitions to a supple, balanced mouth feel; the finish is
rich, layered and long. In this wine I am again able to
perceive an “expression” or “sense of place” from our Estate
Vineyard, and I love that! With proper cellaring, this wine
should age for ten years.
2009 Dry White
Riesling
Yakima Valley 100% White Riesling $25.00 750ml bottleOrder Now
Production Notes and General Characteristics: This Dry White Riesling is produced entirely from grapes grown
by Hugh and Kathy Shiels in their DuBrul Vineyard in the Yakima
Valley, north of Sunnyside, Washington. This very old and very fine
vineyard is located on a significant bench facing south across the
Valley. The soil, comprised of sand, silt, and calcium covered
rocks, is extremely well drained which contributes greatly to the
character and concentration of the fruit and wine.
This wine typically expresses richness of ripe peach and nectarine
yet is balanced with great natural acidity. The aromas follow the
same fragrant line and the finish is crisp, fruity and long. The
pure expression of fully mature riesling fruit allows this wine to
perfectly accompany Pacific Rim cuisine or seafood from the Pacific
Northwest. While drinkable now, this exceptional Washington
Riesling will continue to develop over the next several years.
Alcohol: 14.1% by Volume Release Date: July 2008
Production: 281 cases
2009 Washington
State
Chardonnay 100% Chardonnay New Release
$44.00750ml bottleOrder Now 96 points, Editor's Choice - Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast
This 2009 Washington State Chardonnay was produced
from chardonnay grown at Celilo Vineyard (64%) in the Columbia River
Gorge and Woodward Canyon Estate (36%) in the northwestern edge of
the Walla Walla Valley Appellation, Certified Sustainable by ICBO
via LIVE and Salmon-Safe. The Walla Walla Valley influence is
noticeable even with a small percentage of fruit from the Estate
Vineyard due to its richer character; Celilo brings the elegance and
balance.
Production Notes and General Characteristics:
This wine was fermented in 100% French burgundy barrels; roughly 20%
new. Beautifully mature flavors of ripe pear, apple, and peach marry
perfectly with wonderful acidity. Whole cluster pressing gives
delineated fruit which integrates beautifully with notes of vanilla,
cream and toasted hazelnut. Finally, the oak is understated by our
choice and is in wonderful proportion with the alcohol, fruit and
acidity.
Fully mature fruit shows in the mouth; the texture
is smooth and silky. The finish is complex, generous, and long. And
while this wine may be consumed now, it will benefit substantially
with a year in bottle and should continue to improve for another
several years, with proper cellaring.
Alcohol: 14.1% by volume Production:
616 cases 750 ml
MasterCard
sustainability
as well, and the "Woody" brand of sustainability aims at a
triple bottom line - one that looks at all
aspects of the overall operation – the environmental
(minimal and safe chemical use), the social (being a good
neighbor and employer) and
the economics systems (making a profit).
house, and
taste the distinctive wines everyone is talking about. Or call ahead
and join one of the 
