The first 22 acres of our Southwind Estate vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley were planted in the summer of 2008. As we wait for those young vineyard blocks to produce fruit, we source grapes from select vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Valley AVAs.

Winemaker Virginie Bourgue often discovers grapes that inspire a particular blend in order to bring out the best of each individual; such is the case with Springboard. Several of our limited production Cadaretta wines are named with timber industry terms. These names were selected as a salute to the heritage of the Anderson & Middleton families, who have been in Washington since 1898. Just as our winery is named for the lumber schooner Cadaretta, Springboard (our Bordeaux varietal selection), is named for a short length of plank that treefallers fit into the base of a tree to stand on as they cut. The 2006 Springboard is blended from four different vineyard sources:

• The Merlot comes from the Birch Creek Vineyard. Known for producing luscious Chardonnays for many wineries, and the vineyard also produces classic Merlot.
• The Cabernet is from the 17-acre Heather Hill vineyard east of Walla Walla, on the southern border of the Walla Walla appellation.
• The Petit Verdot comes from the Wahluke Slope’s Stone Tree Vineyard, near Mattawa at the foot of the Saddle Mountains.
• Alder Ridge Vineyard supplied the Cabernet Franc. The vineyard overlooks the Columbia River, which tempers the climate so it’s cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

VARIETAL COMPOSITION: 34% Merlot, 31% Petit Verdot, 31%, Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc
GRAPE SOURCES: Merlot: Birch Creek (Walla Walla Valley), Cabernet Sauvignon: Heather Hill Vineyard (Walla Walla Valley), Petit Verdot: Stone Tree Vineyard (Wahluke Slope), Cabernet Franc: Alder Ridge Vineyard (Horse Heaven Hills)
APPELLATION: Columbia Valley
VINIFICATION: Fermented in stainless steel, daily punch down during fermentation. Aged for 21 months in 100% French oak (81% new).
TOTAL ACIDITY...pH: 6.2g/L...3.86
ALCOHOL: 15.0% by volume
BOTTLING DATE: June 30, 2008
RELEASE DATE: October 1, 2009
PRODUCTION: 720 bottles, packed 6 x 750ml


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