This vineyard is family-based. Mike speaks to Red Willow being multi-generational. The farm is almost 100 years old and Mike is the 3rd generation, making Jonathan 4th generation and already some of the kids and grand kids are working on the farm. Often vineyards in Washington seem to change hands every 30 to 40 years. “It takes time to learn the soil, the identity, how we grow the grapes and interacting with the winemaker. And the wineries.”
They know their fruit here, they have seen it evolve and provide consistency to winemakers, as well as variety. They also really seem to be a sweet spot for Cabernet Franc and Mike believes the Right Bank Blends created from the vineyard are a beautiful way to showcase the site. Merlot, which has been forgotten does well here as well as Cabs. This blending of the three varieties used in Bordeaux, is working very well.
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