Yak-deaux

If you’re a Yakima Valley wine enthusiast, you probably already know that our valley is located on the same latitudinal line as Bordeaux—a wine region known for its profoundly complex and age worthy wines—in France. This is part of why so many Bordeaux varietals can thrive here: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot for reds, and, most popularly, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon for whites. (At least, of the Bordeaux varietals.)

The Wine Bible on Bordeaux:

-      Bordeaux is a red wine region. 80% of the wines produced are red.

-      Although the very top Bordeaux wines are renowned worldwide, these constitute but a small percentage of the region’s total output. Most Bordeaux are neither famous nor expensive but instead, are good, every-night dinner wines.

-      Bordeaux wines are about elegance and intensity of flavor; they are rarely massive or powerful.

-      For the Bordealais winemaker blending is crucial; it is one of the methods by which complexity in wine is achieved.

From this alone we see a lot of similarities. In the red heavy Yakima Valley, Bordeaux blends are everywhere! Elegance and intensity of flavor are crucial in this state: yes we have bold reds—striking and tannic—but for the most part, Washington’s winemaking style is less about the alcohol and the obvious. Its wines are nuanced, dimensional, with full flavors. This is what wine is about: slowing down, savoring, the moment.

Another very cool concept is that the majority of valley wines, as in Bordeaux, are not massively produced viti-celebrities. There are over 800 wineries in this state and most of them produce under 5000 cases annually—with only a few labels producing over 90% of the wine. (Tasting room visitors from Abu Dhabi said last weekend that Chateau Ste. Michelle is the only Washington wine they can find there—practically across the world, CSM would be one example.) Some of our favorites in Zillah produce less than 1000 cases—Cultura at around 750 and Dineen at around 250, for example. (Both with outstanding, award winning wines that can only be found inside their tasting rooms.) Our case production at Two Mountain is around 2500, and although we have a few distributors, we’re only available in a few markets around the US.

An old article by the Wine Enthusiast took concept this a step further (in Could Washington Redefine Cult Wine?): “Keep the requirements for rarity, high scores and buzz, but lose the absurd prices, drop the alcohol levels a bit and substitute genuine terroir for 100% new French oak barrels… Start with the world-class boutique wineries of Washington. Washington’s Bordeaux-style wines and blends have the structure and balance to age for decades.”

Yes, we’re proud to be making wine in Washington, and no we wouldn’t be doing it anywhere else. There are innumerable reasons why we believe in this place—and for us, drinking locally is about quality, less so convenience. Oh, how do we love thee, let us count the ways…

Copeland Vineyard, you so pretty...