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Sagelands Vineyard |
When looking to name Chalone Wine Group's new brand, Phil Woodward was inspired by reading East of the Mountains by best-selling author David Guterson. The book often used the word "sage" to refer to Eastern Washington's indigenous flora and its native people. Coupled with the fact that the name of the local natives means "sage people," Sagelands seemed the ideal choice. The name Sagelands aptly points us back to the land that not only grows wild sagebrush, but stellar Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as well. Sagelands Vineyard General Manager and Winemaker Kevin Mott has identified unique vineyards in Columbia Valley's "four corners" - Yakima Valley, Wahluke Slope, Horse Heaven Hills and Walla Walla Valley from which to source and then blend grapes into quality red wines. Mott supervises all aspects of winegrowing where he employs the latest viticultural techniques and plants the newest clonal materials. When fruit from the winery's 11-acre estate vineyard is blended with the "four corners" fruit, the result is fruit-forward elegant wines that express unique Bing cherry, raspberry and dark chocolate flavors. "This is my dream come true," says Mott, "While living in Idaho 13 years ago, I began making Cab and Merlot from Washington grapes. To actually now live in Columbia Valley and pursue my dream is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any winemaker." The first release of Sagelands Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot was in the fall of 2000 and was approximately 20,000 cases. Sagelands Wines is sister label to the Chalone Group's Canoe Ridge Winery. The winery, once known as Staton Hills and now owned by Chalone Wine Group, produces red wines only. Capacity is approximately 60,000 cases a year.  Kevin Mott Kevin Mott is among a handful of pioneering winemakers from the northwestern United States, having made wine from the vineyards of Washington and Idaho for more than 14 years. Mott joined Sagelands upon its inception in 1999. Prior to that time he was director of winemaking and general manager for Ste. Chapelle Winery in southwestern Idaho, where he oversaw all aspects of production for the 130,000-case winery and was integral in promoting Idaho wines. It was here that his passion for making Cabernet Sauvignon was kindled and he gained extensive experience with Columbia Valley fruit. "For 13 years I was fortunate to have made wine from some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vineyards in the Columbia Valley, so when I came to Sagelands, I already knew of the great potential for producing wines from this area." Of the Columbia Valley and Sagelands, Mott says, "I have always felt that the best quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot consistently come from specific sub-appellations of Washington's Columbia Valley. For Sagelands, we have contracted for grapes and new vineyard plantings in those areas that are best suited for producing concentrated, rich red wines. I am very excited that Sagelands will produce red wines exclusively, a direction that has long been a dream of mine." An Idaho native, Mott spent his summers working on his grandfather's cattle ranch and his winters skiing near his home, and to this day is an avid outdoorsman. Mott has a BS in Chemistry from Albertson College and began his wine career as a chemist and cellar worker at Ste. Chapelle. |
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Sagelands
Vineyard, ten miles east of Yakima, is located in Washington's premier
growing region, the Columbia Valley. 
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