Brian Carter Cellars Vineyards
Of all the decisions a winemaker has to make – from grapes to barrels to yeast and equipment – the vineyards chosen for their wines is easily the most important. The site where the grapes are grown is the most critical piece of a wine’s quality, followed by the way the grapes are grown. Therefore, when Brian decides to source grapes from a particular vineyard, the effect on the final wine is doubly important, since it always involves a site as well as a grower/manager.
Listed below are the nine most important vineyards and growers from which Brian Carter Cellars currently sources grapes. In addition to the AVA (American Viticultural Area), the varieties sourced, and a brief description of the style of wines produced from each site, we have listed the year that the vineyard was first planted, and the year Brian first started to source from that vineyard (often dating back before the beginning of Brian Carter Cellars). Totaling the years these eleven vineyards have been in existence – over 300 years – gives us some idea of the cumulative experience these growers have managing their sites.
Within the Snipes Mountain AVA, the Newhouse family provides us with Viognier, Tempranillo, Graciano, Touriga Nacional, Souzao, and Tinto Cao. We benefit from well balanced wines with good fruit and consistent ripening from Upland Vineyard.
Within the Yakima Valley AVA, the Olsen family provides us with Viognier, Roussanne, Merlot and Syrah. Olsen Vineyards fruit gives us great varietal character and well balanced wines.