Sauvignon Blanc is celebrated around the world for its brightness, complexity, and versatility. Shaped into benchmark styles in both France’s Loire Valley and Bordeaux, it later earned global acclaim in New Zealand for exuberant aromatics and in Napa Valley for layered, textural expressions. In the Royal Slope AVA, this dynamic varietal finds ideal conditions to shine: vineyards around 1,400 feet, long summer daylight, cool nights, steady winds, and well-drained ancient soils help the fruit ripen fully while preserving tension and lift. The result spans a spectrum of textures and aromatics, from citrus, gooseberry, and herbal snap to white peach, melon, and flint, depending on site and élevage.

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Royal Slope’s broad south-to-southwest exposures and high-elevation benches encourage even ripening with natural freshness, while loess over basalt adds a subtle mineral line and length. Plantings remain selective, which allows careful farming and pick decisions tailored to each block. The vineyards are planted with carefully selected clones for purity and drive; large-format or neutral oak brings quiet texture without weight. The combined effect is Sauvignon Blanc with clarity, lift, and a refined finish that showcases why Royal Slope has become one of the most exciting areas in our region today.

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2022 was an ideal vintage for Sauvignon Blanc along the Royal Slope AVA. The 2022 Matthews Royal Slope Sauvignon Blanc is comprised of two vineyard parcels within this dynamic AVA, Laura Lee Vineyard and La Reyna Blanca Vineyard. This wine truly represents the broad flavor and aromatic expressions of Sauvignon Blanc from the diverse terroirs of Washington State. The winemaking team worked with the vineyard manager to restrict yields, creating small, concentrated berries. Cool fall nights preserved freshness in the wine while continuing flavor development. Hand harvesting took place in the early mornings throughout September.

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Upon arriving at the winery, the fruit was sorted and whole-cluster pressed. The juice was moved to tank and cold-settled for 24 hours. The clarified juice was racked into varying formats of French oak (68% new). Barrel fermentation ranged from 3 weeks to 4 months. Once fermentation was complete, the wine rested until spring 2023. Eight carefully selected barrels were blended and bottled unfined and unfiltered in August 2023, yielding only 149 cases.

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Three separate clones were included in the final blend (Sauvignon Blanc: 1, 27, Gist). This is one of the only wines in the Columbia Valley that features Clone 27 Sauvignon Blanc. It is one of the rarest grape clones in the state.