W I N E R Y
Ole Thompson, Wine Director at Seat-
tle's Wild Ginger says of the Alder Ridge
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon: "It is awash
with dusty tannins, painting the palate
with a dense leafi ness, restrained oak
and soft, mature character." SRP $40.
Dan Baty, co-owner of Precept Brands, overlooks a fi eld of vineyards
at Alder Ridge Vineyards in Washington's Horse Heaven Hills AVA.
In the Southwest corner of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA—
a 570,000-acre appellation in Washington State but claiming the
fewest number of wineries (six)—Alder Ridge Vineyards is
protected by the snaking Columbia River, which blankets
the vines with a warm, thick fog in the morning and cools
them with a whipping afternoon wind.
There's no fear of frost in this remote area, and harvesting
can be delayed until late October—a long growing season
for intense fruit. There's nothing mellow about the wines
of Alder Ridge.
The winery, built six years ago, is owned by Corus Brands
and marketed through Vintage Point. D
A l d e r R i d g e
"With Alder Ridge, we're
geared to on-premise and high-
end wine shops," explains Ken
McCabe, Corus Estates and
Vineyards President. (McCabe
is also the current President
of the Rhône Rangers; Corus's
Zefi na label produces Rhône
blends.)
Pictured here is Ken McCabe
with Jim Allen, Executive VP,
Managing Director for Odom-
Southern Fine Wines Division
in the Pacifi c NW.
july 2009 / the tasting panel / C
