Red Willow Vineyard
Yakima Valley AVA
Red Willow Vineyard is the furthest western vineyard within the Yakima Valley AVA. Made up of four distinctive blocks, the vineyard supplies fruit to over 20 wineries across Washington and Oregon. Founded in 1971, Red Willow is one of the oldest vineyards in Washington State and has been run since 1973 by the Sauer Family. The vines are grown on steep hillsides, with unique formations of soils unlike any other.
Red Willow is the result of four generations of farming dating back to the 1920s growing potatoes alfalfa and hay. In 1971, Mike Sauer enlisted renowned WSU viticulturist Dr. Walter Clore to start planting wine grapes on the slopes where his other crops wouldn’t grow. Red Willow vineyard is at an elevation of 1,300 feet, which places it above the Missoula Floods and escapes the deep soils that it created. Here the soils are poorer ancient soils which as Mike discovered, is perfect for wine grapes.
Wines produced: D2, Minuit, Red Willow Blend, Red Willow Malbec
Grapes sourced: Malbec, Merlot, Chardonnay, Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Franc
