Alder Ridge Vineyard

Alder Ridge is one of Washington’s largest, most spectacular vineyards. A 1,200-acre site, with 814 planted acres overlooking the Columbia River, the location provides a splendid grape-growing environment, as well as a picturesque setting. The vineyard encompasses a range of gentle to steep slopes providing excellent air drainage and sun exposure, and its proximity to the Columbia River moderates extreme winter temperatures. As a result, the site’s temperate climate and volcanic and silt-loam soils are ideal for a range of wine grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. A parcel of land next to the Columbia River is reserved for experimentation with varieties such as Viognier, Barbera, Zinfandel, Mourvedre and Roussanne.

Oasis Vineyard

Also located near Benton City in lower Yakima Valley, Oasis Vineyard is farmed by the Roy family – veteran farmers whose French ancestors moved to the Yakima Valley to grow hops. Some of the Oasis plantings – notably Chardonnay and Riesling - are 20 to 25 years old, and they produce lovely, perfumed wines. (The Riesling is the source of Covey Run’s Columbia Valley Reserve Late Harvest Riesling.) Newer plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, on an especially warm, rocky site, all show great promise.