In the process of making great wines, our team starts at the very beginning. Using the best fruit possible allows are team to ensure the quality of our wines, and proudly present our finished product. Arbor Crest is proud to partner with some of the finest and most prestigious vineyards in Washington State.
You can learn more about the wines and vineyards in Washington State by visiting the Washington State Wine website.
SAGEMOOR, DIONYSUS & BACCHUS VINEYARDS
Columbia Valley
Farmed by Kent Waliser, these three vineyards, managed by Sagemoor Farms, are located in Pasco along the Columbia River. They not only possess some of the oldest vines in Washington state, but they feature beautiful soils, sandy loam, good temperatures and excellent grape acidity which is maintained by the vineyards’ close proximities to the river.
Our Bacchus varietals include: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Our Dionysus varietals are: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and White Riesling. Sagemoor varietals: Syrah
CONNER LEE VINEYARD
Columbia Valley
Farmed by Josh Lawrence, the Conner Lee Vineyard is located just outside of Othello where the prime location, deep sandy soils and cooler temperatures allow the grapes to have a long hang-time which yields very concentrated flavors.
Our varietals from Conner Lee include: Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir
STILLWATER CREEK VINEYARD
Columbia Valley
Farmed by Ed Kelly, Stillwater Creek Vineyard is a 235-acre site on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills. Planted in 2000 on a steep, south-facing slope with one of the most diverse clone selections in Washington state, Stillwater Creek quickly has earned a reputation as one of the Columbia Valley’s top vineyards. The site’s fractured rock and extreme southern exposure are ideal for reds, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. , it is best known for its innovative vineyard management and unique selection of premium varietal clones.
Stillwater Creek varietals: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
WEINBAU VINEYARD
Columbia Valley
Farmed by Kent and Lacey Lybeck, Weinbau has a view of the Rattlesnake Mountains to the south, and the Saddle Mountains to the north. The land slopes gently south, with elevation ranging from 710-950 feet. Weinbau is a warm site with excellent air drainage, and soil is dominated by Kennewick silt loam with 2-5% slope. The consistency of soil type shows up in vine growth and subsequently in the wines.
In 2009, Weinbau expanded by 100 acres. The expansion’s plantings use innovative row orientation and block layout to minimize direct afternoon sunlight, decrease sunburn potential, and coax more even ripening.
Weinbau Vineyard varietals: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah
GAMACHE VINEYARD
Columbia Valley
Farmed by Kent Waliser, The highest elevation is 960 feet. A gentle, mile-long southwestern slope ends at elevation 840 feet. Bordering the east side of the vineyard is a 300 foot drop to the valley floor, towards Basin City.
Gamache soil is primarily Warden sandy loam, with a little Kennewick sandy loam. There’s caliche (a hardened natural cement of calcium carbonate) about 12 inches down in the northern part of the site. It does show itself in a couple of other smaller areas as well.
Weinbau Vineyard varietals: Pinot Gris, Malbec
From vineyard to tasting room, wine cellar to dining room, the cycle of life that is winemaking runs deep in the family-oriented operations of Arbor Crest.
Our Director of Winemaking, Kristina Mielke-van Loben Sels, and her team checking in on the fruit at the Conner Lee Vineyard
Harry Mielke a driving force behind the scenes at Arbor Crest
You're never too young to start learning the joys of grape juice, as a third generation of the Arbor Crest family discovers the Bacchus Vineyard