The 2023 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon is a meticulously crafted expression of this iconic AVA within the Columbia Valley. Sourced from standout sites including Wallula Gap, Phinny Hill, Milt’s, and Cavalie, this wine captures the depth, structure, and aromatic range that define Horse Heaven Hills at its best.

This is, quite literally, a wine that will never exist again. Following the 2023 vintage, the Cavalie Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon block was lost to fire, while portions of the Wallula Gap vineyard experienced significant vine loss due to spray drift. What remains in this bottle is a singular moment in time, bringing together fruit from three of the region’s most respected growers, including Mercer, Wallula Gap, and Phinny Hill, into a cohesive and authentic expression of both place and vintage.

The 2023 growing season provided a welcome return to balance, with steady ripening conditions and an even fruit set. Warm days developed depth and richness, while cool nights preserved freshness and structure. Harvest took place in the early mornings from early October into November.

At the winery, grapes were hand harvested and meticulously cluster sorted, destemmed, and berry sorted. Primary fermentation lasted 14 days in new French oak, with an additional 30+ days of extended maceration to build texture, deepen integration, and refine tannin structure.

The wine was then cellared for 23 months in 100% new French oak. The final blend, composed of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Merlot, was drawn from just 8 barrels, yielding 199 cases. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, the wine preserves its full purity, vibrancy, and intensity.