William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

You may be familiar with some of Washington's American Viticultural Areas (AVAs); such as Yakima Valley, Walla Walla, Red Mountain and The Columbia Valley. But do you know the way to the Horse Heaven Hills AVA? Washington State is the nation's second largest producer of wine. And that's premium wine friends. With 43,000 acres planted to vine we have an ideal climate in Eastern Washington for growing vinifera. It's dry in Eastern Washington with only 6-8 inches of annual rainfall. Since vinifera require at least 22 inches of annual rainfall, irrigation and vineyard management are key to producing high quality fruit. Clouds rolling off the north side of the Horse Heaven Hills.

Coyote Canyon 2009 Viognier with cheese and fruit. My wife had a meeting last night at a local wine and cheese shop. She brought home with her the Coyote Canyon 2009 Viognier, along with a savory selection of cheeses. We added some fresh strawberries and crackers and made an evening treat for ourselves.

H3 - Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon This wine was a big surprise for me. My wife is continually buying wine I would never think of bringing home. I so enjoyed the wine, I left some for the next day. My notes are from day two. Tasting notes: What an interesting nose - spicy vegetal which leans towards baked bell pepper, cigar box, leather, empty pepper mill. Medium bodied wine, good fruit, pencil shavings, flower petals, hint of bubble gum, good mouth feel. I like it. Has a pleasant finish, not huge, not too dry. This is a buy me drink me wine, perfect for a grilled steak and prawns. This wine is locally priced in the $15 range (less if on sale). I’ve included some winemaker notes below.. www.columbia-crest.com Cheers! Winemaker notes: The H3 label is named for the American Viticultural Area in which Columbia Crest is located (Horse Heaven Hills AVA) and where it planted its estate vineyards more than two decades ago. All the grapes will come from those vineya...