The Vineyard
Bergevin Lane Vineyards sources from vineyards primarily located in the Walla Walla and Wahluke Slope appellations, including Pepper Bridge Vineyards, Les Collines, and Stone Tree Vineyard. Our own 21 acre Estate Vineyard, Bergevin Springs Vineyard will begin producing fruit in 2013.
Our northerly latitude provides for an extended growing season with long sunshine filled days balanced by cool evening temperatures. This allows grapes to develop flavor and complexity slowly, while retaining natural acidity. Complex soils composed of loam, silt, loess and cobbles offer perfect drainage.
Sourcing grapes from various vineyard locations and sizes adds complexity to our wines, and we have chosen vineyards that will consistently produce fruit that matches our flavor profiles. We have long term contracts with small boutique vineyards such as Francisca’s Vineyard and larger established vineyards such as Pepper Bridge Vineyards, Les Collines and Stone Tree Vineyards. We also source fruit in the Yakima and Columbia Valley vineyards for added complexity and flavor nuances.
Bergevin Springs Vineyard
Our new estate vineyard, Bergevin Springs, was planted in the spring of 2011. The vineyard is planted predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon, in addition to Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Viognier.
The farm has been in the Bergevin family since the early 1900s and we are excited to share both our family history and our commitment to sustainability and the environment with this new endeavor. The anticipated first pick date is 2013.
Watch us as we grow! We’ll be updating this page frequently with pictures, news and vineyard developments, so stay tuned for more details.
Francisca’s Vineyard
We are delighted to have been working with Tim Rogan & Francisca van Heezik. Their exceptional Francisca’s Vineyard fruit is the star in our Princess Syrah. In fact, Bergevin Lane Vineyards is the only recipient of Francisca’s Vineyard Syrah, and we appreciate Tim and Francisca’s commitment to being hands-on in both their vineyard and their community. Read Tim and Francisca’s story in their own words and learn more about their unique vineyard.
Les Collines Vineyard
Les Collines (The Foothills) is one of the higher vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley with an upper elevation of 1,380 feet. This 240 acre vineyard is one of the valley leaders in minimal input farming with its own composting operation and extensive use of compost tea. It is internationally certified for Sustainable Farming by the IOBC and is certified as a Salmon Safe Vineyard.
Grape varietals currently grown include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Petite Verdot, Merlot, Semillon, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Viognier, and Riesling.
Pepper Bridge Vineyard
From a beginning of ten planted acres in 1991, Pepper Bridge Vineyard has been expanded to almost 200 acres of vines (170 acres as of January 2011). Grapes from this vineyard are known for their outstanding quality and are featured in many of the premium wines produced in Washington State.
Pepper Bridge gets it name from the Pepper family, who used to farm the area, and more specifically, from a former military route across the Walla Walla River, known as “Pepper’s Bridge.” Many people tend to pick up on a peppery taste in the grape, but this is merely a coincidence and not a reason for the vineyard’s name.
The soil in this vineyard is classified as Walla Walla Silt Loam, which is composed of wind-blown glacial loess that is geologically young and full of minerals. This type of soil is one-third sand, making it drain easily. In certain blocks in the vineyard, significant amounts of ash from Mount St. Helens and Mount Mazama can be found as well.
Grape varietals grown include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, and Syrah.
StoneTree Vineyards
StoneTree Vineyard is located on 247 developed acres in the heart of the Wahluke Slope, one of the driest and warmest grape-growing regions in Washington. StoneTree is exceptionally well-sited on a gentle slope, rising from 940 feet up to 1,250 feet. This ensures good drainage and frost protection. The soil is classified as sandy loam, predominately the Scoon series: very shallow, well-drained soils on terraces and alluvial fans. This is typical of a geological location where a wind-blown loess has been deposited on a more durable substrate. The underlying sediments, glacial outwash, were deposited 13,000 to 20,000 years ago by catastrophic floods of glacial melt water from Glacial Lake Missoula.
Grape varietals grown include cabernet sauvignon and the other Bordeaux reds; Rhône reds such as syrah, grenache and mourvèdre; and more unusual varieties such as barbera, tempranillo, primitivo and zinfandel.