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Columbia Valley Vineyards Washington state: Merlot and other Varieties

Our Merlot is grown in Washington state’s Columbia Valley on the eastern side of the state. Summer daytime temperatures are quite warm – typically in the high 80s. Nighttime temperatures are cool. This protects the natural acidity in the wine and gives the grapes extra time on the vine to develop more complexity. Rainfall is limited to 6-8 inches annually, due in large measure to the vast Cascade Mountain range that shields our vineyards from Seattle’s famous inclement weather. Our vineyard managers have the luxury of using irrigation as a tool to "stress" the vine, which in turn boosts flavor in the grapes.

We are of the belief that diverse vineyard locations make for more interesting wines. That’s why more than 15 distinct vineyard blocks are carefully watched through the growing season – row by row, vine by vine – and tended to yield no more than three tons per acre. Each block is carefully selected for Northstar because our winemakers have found it brings a unique dimension to the wine, either distinct aromas and flavors or structure and tannins, to make a rich, complex finished wine.


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