Appellation Yakima Valley organizes to
promote Yakima wines

By Christina Kelly
Avalon Staff Writer

3/25/02- PROSSER-Washington's oldest wine grape growing region is looking for a reputation.

A group of prominent Yakima Valley wine grape growers recently formed a new organization, Appellation Yakima Valley, to promote and enhance the reputation of Yakima Valley wines.

"The time is right for Appellation Yakima Valley as the area's wines just keep getting better and better as we fine-tune our viticulture practices," said Bill denHoed, a second-generation Grandview area grower and the group's first president.

denHoed owns and manages 600 acres in the Yakima Valley.

Other board members include Mike Hogue, Hogue Cellars, Dick Boushey, grower, Colin Morrell and Brenton Roy (growers) and winemakers Brian Carter (Washington Hills, Apex), David Minick (Willow Crest Winery and grower) and Kay Simon (Chinook).

The Yakima Valley appellation was approved for use on wine labels in 1983 and became Washington's first official federal AVA, or American Viticultural Area. The appellation has more than 11,000 acres planted to wine grapes and is home to 30 wineries and growing. Thousands of tons of Yakima wine grapes are used in the state's most prominent wines. In addition, grapes are sold to other states and countries for wine.

Wines produced with Yakima grapes are widely recognized. In a recent Food & Wine Magazine article, McCrea Cellars' Yakima Valley Boushey Grande Cote Syrah won its annual American Wine Awards for "Best Wine Over $15."

An 18-liter bottle of DeLille Cellars' Chaleur Estate, made from 100 percent Yakima Valley grapes, commanded $14,000 last year during the annual Auction of Washington Wines-the highest paid for a single bottle of wine at an auction. The money benefited the Seattle Children's Hospital.

Yakima wineries include Yakima River Winery, Hourglass Cellars, Thurston Wolfe, Hogue, Taft Cellars, Silver Lake Winery, Sagelands, Portteus Vineyards, Kiona Vineyards Winery, Kestrel Vintners, Bonair Winery, Claar Cellars and Terra Blanca Vintners.

"Yakima Valley grapes give the winemaker a phenomenal palette with which to create exceptional wines every year," said Kay Simon, winemaker for Chinook Winery. Simon has used Yakima grapes in her wines since 1977.

"It's all about balance-the natural juxtaposition of sugar, acidity and flavor are there year after year in Yakima Valley grapes."

The new organization plans to promote Yakima wines through education, tourism and special events. For information on upcoming events, email www.yakvalleywinegrapes@bentonrea.com, or call 866-8469881.

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