Spring Valley Expands Vineyard Near Walla Walla

Walla Walla, Wash.

Spring Valley Vineyard near Walla Walla, celebrated for producing some of the most prized red wines in Washington State, has just completed a 64-acre addition to the original 45-acre vineyard.

All of the vines are on land owned for more than 100 years by the Corkrum family. In 2005, Shari Corkrum Derby and her husband, Dean, leased the renowned vineyard to Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, which hired French winemaker Serge Laville to make the Spring Valley Vineyard wines. The high-scoring wines were previously made by the Derbys’ son, Devin, who died in 2004.

Most of the fruit from the original vineyard—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot—goes into the Spring Valley Vineyard wines, including the highly acclaimed Uriah and Frederick wines, as well as Nina Lee.

Those are the names of Corkrum ancestors, whose photos are on the wine labels. The family started growing dry-land wheat on their ranch northeast of Walla Walla in the late 19th century. The original Spring Valley Vineyard was planted in 1993 and the first wines were produced in 1999.

The new plantings include 21 acres of Cabernet Franc, 18 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 10 acres of Merlot, among other varietals.

“We have studied possible vineyard sites over the years, matching the specific terroir with a specific varietal, which has moved us to plant not one, but two new vineyard locations,” says Gaynor Derby, vineyard manager. “We know there are ‘sweet spots’ all around us.”

In May, global positioning system technology was used to precisely mark the vineyard lay out and to map specific areas for varietal selections.

An all-drip irrigation system was set up in early June, along with a modified vertical shoot position trellising system, with a small amount of terraced acreage. The plan is to eventually adjust the trellising according to the grape varietal.

A high-pressure water stream method was used to create the holes for each vine cane, allowing water to drain slowly and evenly.

Many of the plantings came from the mother block, local nurseries, and a small amount came from California.

Spring Valley is researching a perennial cover crop for the vineyards called “western low grow.” It helps reduce soil erosion and provides excellent traction for equipment on the steep slopes along Spring Valley.

Spring Valley is committed to sustainable agriculture methods that respect the land and its uses, inspired by the Winegrowers Sustainable Trust, a local, Walla Walla Valley program. The Vinewise program, administered by the Wine Association of Grape Growers, is also a model for Spring Valley.

The first crop from the new Spring Valley vineyards will be in 2009, and the vineyards are expected to be up to full production by 2012.

“These new plantings are extremely important to the Spring Valley wines,” said winemaker Serge Laville, “because we will get to hand-pick the best fruit possible from the very best lots coming from a much larger assortment of premium grapes, which will only intensify the quality of the wine.”

Spring Valley Vineyard wines routinely receive high scores and lavish praise from top wine critics. They are produced in very limited quantities.

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For further information:
Grace Doyle
425-415-3359
grace.doyle@ste-michelle.com