Geology and Soil: 

• Anticline Ridge: Elevation provides excellent air drainage - helps protect vines from frost

• Rocky Soils (Aridsols): mix of ancient loess over Missoula Floor sediment dotted with river stones and cobbles left by ancient riverbeds

• The "Rhone Effect": Cobbles that retain the suns heat during the day and radiate it back onto the vines at night. 

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Climate: 

• Warm and Dry - in rain shadow of Cascade Mountains

• Big Diurnal Shifts

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Expression: 

• Bright Red Fruit with Savory Herbal Notes

• Medium Bodied, Silken Texture, Soft and Lengthy Tannins

• High Elevation and diurnals help maintain a fresh acidity to balance the ripe fruit flavors. 

Geology and Soil: 

• Accreted Terranes: Complex mosaic of rocks that originated as island arcs in the Pacific Ocean and were added to the NA continent over millions of years. 

• Intrusive Igneous Rocks (Granite), Decomposed Granite, Similar to Spain's Sierra de Gredos

• Stream Sediments and Alluvial Soils - Well- Draining; Gravel & Sand

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Climate:

• Warm, dry summers with lots of sunshine

• Significant Diurnal Swings

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Expression: 

• Plush, full-bodied, fruit-forward

• Subtle underlying minerality

• The decomposed granite along with big diurnal swings often result in acidity, freshness and more vibrant wines. 

Geology and Soil: 

• Complex geology built upon ancient lava flows and shaped by the Missoula Floods and wind-deposited loess

• Loess (Wind-Deposited Silt): Fine, powdery, calcareous silt - well-draining, low fertility

• Basalt Cobblestone Gravels (The Rocks AVA) - distinct alluvial fan of an ancient riverbed. Dark, rocky surface provides extra heat. 

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Climate: 

• Hot summers, Cold winters, diurnals

• Rain shadow of Cascades

• Blue Mountain Influence

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Expression: 

• Full-bodied, bright, balance acidity

• Juicy red and dark fruit

• Velvety and elegant tannins