The Vineyards

Ash Hollow Vineyard

Ash Hollow Vineyard began as a dream amongst a small group of family and close friends in 1998.

During the purchase of the 287 acre farm for their vineyard, they consulted one hundred year old maps of the area and learned that there used to be a homestead plantation, or hollow, of Ash trees. This area, on the old map, was called Ash Hollow.

Ash Hollow Vineyard is located just within the western edge of the Walla Walla Valley appellation just south of Highway 12 at Nine Mile Hill. Having the same 46º N latitude as Bordeaux, it has become as an exceptional source for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Syrah grapes. Because of its northern latitude, Ash Hollow Vineyard enjoys up to two hours more summer sunlight than other wine growing regions. The longer days allow the grapes to fully ripen, and the cool nights provide a higher natural acidity. The vineyard also offers dramatic views of the Walla Walla Valley and Blue Mountains.

Sitting at an average elevation of 600 feet, the vineyard benefits from not only the seemingly bottomless sandy loam soil, but also consistent weather that provides ideal growing conditions for grapes. For example, the area averages just 6 inches of rainfall annually, allowing our vineyard foreman, Cris Lopez, to control water to the vine very accurately via our drip irrigation system. This lack of rain also means that the grapes can be left until they achieve optimal ripeness without fear of damage from hail or rain, or from mildew and rot due to damp conditions.

Ash Hollow Vineyard is situated such that gentle sweeping slopes provide excellent sun exposure aspects. The vineyard's weather, location, topography, and unique soils offer key benefits that are important factors for quality fruit production.

Lakeshore Vineyard

Ash Hollow's second vineyard is located within Bella Terra Estates on Berney Drive southeast of Walla Walla adjacent to Leonetti Cellars.

Lakeshore Vineyard is named in honor of ancient Lake Lewis which was formed thousands of years ago when the Walla Walla Valley was flooded by the earth's largest documented floods; the Missoula Floods. Lakeshore Vineyard is situated at what was then the eastern lake shore of ancient Lake Lewis. (See "The Appellation" section for more information on the formation of the Walla Walla Valley.)

Lakeshore is a 12 acre vineyard planted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The vineyard benefits from natural frost protection afforded by its elevation, an average of 1250 feet. Its natural sweeping slopes provide wonderful sun exposure while enjoying up to two hours more summer sunlight than other wine regions. The Lakeshore Vineyard also benefits from thick wind-deposited silt or loess, while the Ash Hollow Vineyard has wind blown silt on flood sediments upon a basalt base. These distinctive soil types provide for unique and differing flavor profiles from each vineyard. The well drained sand and silt overlying the basalt bedrock of Lakeshore provides for ideal cultivation of high-quality wine grapes. Bella Terra Estates & Lakeshore Vineyard boast beautiful surroundings, gorgeous views, and spectacular Walla Walla sunsets.