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Latah Creek Wine Cellars was established in 1982 in Spokane - a major metropolitan area in the Northeast corner of Washington State. The winery is one of only a few family owned and operated wineries within the State. Mike Conway, with nearly 30 years of winery experience, and his wife Ellena pair together to run one of most successful small wineries in this relatively new viticultural region. While Mike assumes the management, winemaking and vineyard tasks, Ellena takes on all the accounting and fiscal responsibilities.

Grapes from which Latah Creek's award winning wines are made come from two geographically different areas about 150 miles South and West of the winery. The vineyard producing our Merlot and Cabernet grapes (along with our Muscat Canelli and Reserve Chardonnay) is located in Central Washington on the south facing hills of the Wahluke Slope. This region boasts the longest and warmest growing season in the Northwest. The reds produced are typically more full-bodied than from any other area in the state and can be easily identified by their inky-dark color. Our remaining grapes come from two separate vineyards located in the southern end of the Yakima Valley, between the cities of Prosser and Sunnyside. Slightly cooler than the Wahluke Slope, this area is noted for producing wines which are delicate and fruity in nature - lighter-styled whites excel.

Latah Creek's Winemaker, Mike Conway, started his career in the wine industry in 1972 as a microbiology technician for the largest winery in the United States, E&J Gallo. After leaving Gallo in 1975, two additional years were spent in the microbial field as the winery microbiologist at nearby Franzia Brothers Winery. In 1977, Mike's aspirations toward winemaking were fulfilled when he accepted an assistant winemaker's position with the Parducci winery in Northern California. After three years of training and experience at Parducci, Mike was offered a full charge winemaking job in a relatively unknown, new emerging wine area: Washington State. There he undertook the responsibility of starting up and operating a new winery. His immediate success prompted a move in 1982 that dramatically changed the face of the Washington State wine industry - two new wineries were started where Mike performed winemaking duties. Latah Creek and The Hogue Cellars were brought about through a joint venture with grape grower Hogue and winemaker Conway. After two years, the two operations were separated so full attention could be given to Mike and Ellena's own winery: Latah Creek. Even today, the two businesses still remain close - nearly 50% of Latah Creek's grapes come from Hogue vineyards.

Production at Latah Creek is maintained at about 11,000 cases annually. Today, roughly 25 percent of that total consists of red wines while another 35 percent is devoted exclusively to Chardonnay. The remaining 40 percent is comprised of smaller lots of Johannisberg Riesling, Muscat Canelli and proprietary blends of Maywine, Huckleberry Riesling and Spokane Blush.

2001 HARVEST NOTES
ANOTHER GREAT YEAR
FOR WASHINGTON STATE

Another great vintage. Following a mild winter with negligible bud damage, Washington State enjoyed a typical growing season with regards to temperature and vine development. The main weather-related story was a severe drought that impacted the entire NW region, limiting water for irrigation, salmon runs and hydroelectric power. However, due to the knowledge gained from droughts in 1977 and 1994, cooperative efforts by the various agencies that regulate river water usage and judicious irrigation practices by growers, very few juice or wine vineyards saw significant impact from the drought.

There was only minor spring frost damage to early varieties in low-lying area. One hail and rain storm swept through in June causing localized damage to a few vineyards, but the main impact was on the tree fruit industry.

Harvest began on schedule in early September. Moderate crop levels and cooperative weather resulted in a very smooth harvest, with a slight lull in early October when transitioning to later varieties. Fruit was harvest at full maturity, and quality for all varieties appears to be very good. Due to the very gradual transition into fall, most vineyards retained leaves into November, and wood maturity appears excellent for another record crop in 2002.

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541-752-7418
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Store manager Ann Crowley-
10-6PM M-Sat

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