VINEYARDS

Watermill’s flagship property and the “jewel within the crown” of our vineyard holdings. Watermill vineyard is our only property located within the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA, this region is regarded as the best in the Walla Walla Valley and it consistently outscores lesser Walla Walla Valley appellation wines. The Rocks District AVA was viewed as unworkable due to the presence of large cobblestones covering the ground that are remnants of the former riverbed that once covered the southern portion of the Walla Walla Valley floor. However, in 1997 pioneering French winemaker Christophe Baron planted the first vineyard for his winery, Cayuse, in the Rocks District in 1997. Following in this pioneering spirit, Watermill planted its vineyard in the Rocks AVA in 2006 and produced its first Rocks-District appellated wine in 2008. The Watermill Vineyard continues to play a vital role in making Watermill’s Rocks District Estate Wines. Please visit the Rocks District Winegrowers Association for more information.

Watermill Vineyard
Appellation: The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater
Planted: 2006
Varietals: Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Mourvèdre
Soil: Freewater Very Cobbly Loam
Elevation: 888ft
Size: 13.25 acres

The McClellan vineyard is a traditional site that is nestled between the Seven Hills West and Cougar Crest Estate Vineyards in Southeastern corner of the Walla Walla Valley. Located at the crux of where the valley floor meets the gentle rolling hills of the Palouse, the shallow silt loam soils and low elevation are well suited to producing fruit forward and complex Bordeaux varietals. Grapes from these vineyards, grown on a Geneva Double-cross training system, have produced unmatched wines, including those of critically acclaimed Saviah Cellars and Seven Hills Winery. McClellan vineyard, along with the Duggar Creek Vineyard are the primary blending components in Watermills Walla Walla Valley appellated wines.

McClellan Vineyard
Appellation: Walla Walla
Planted: 2003
Varietals: Bordeaux Red
Soil: Silt Loam
Elevation: 850ft
Size: 25 acres

The second half of Watermill’s blending vineyards and the Brown family's newest vineyard planted in 2009. Dugger Creek is located a stones throw from the McClellan Estate Vineyard, due west of the Cougar Crest Vineyard. A blend of the silt loam from the foothills and cobblestone from the valley floor, Dugger Creek provides a fertile growing location for not only the Bordeaux varietals that are found in the foothills of the Walla Walla Valley, but also the Rhone varietals that are more often associated with the Rocks District AVA. Dugger Creek also pushes the boundaries of experimentation with small plantings of Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Barbera, and Grenache.

Dugger Creek Vineyard
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Planted: 2009
Varietals: Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Grenache, Bordeaux Reds
Soil: Silt Loam, Cobblestone
Elevation: 823ft
Size: 20 acres

The Brown family's original vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley, the Anna Marie vineyard is Watermill’s premier Bordeaux producing vineyard. Planted high in the foothills of the Blue Mountains in the south end of the Walla Walla Valley.  The sandy loam soil, together with hot days and cool fall nights, results in superlative terroir allowing the production of premier red grapes, which have been utilized by prestigious vintners across the Walla Walla Valley, including Chateau Ste. Michelle’s North Star Winery. All traditional Bordaux varietals are grown here utilizing wide spaced rows that are trained to a single cordon, spur-pruned, vertical shoot position. Anna Marie produces the fruit for all Watermill’s single vineyard Walla Walla Valley wines.

Anna Marie Vineyard
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Planted: 2001
Varietals: Bordeaux Red, Syrah
Soil: Silt Loam
Elevation: 1,000ft
Size: 47 acres

Waterstone Vineyard
The newest vineyard in the Watermill’s portfolio, Waterstone marks the first co-venture by the Brown and Foreman families following their formalized partnership. Waterstone is a small but productive vineyard in the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater that will start providing viable fruit with the 2019 vintage. Waterstone also allows for further experimentation on varietals within the Rocks District, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier being planted for the first time.

Waterstone Vineyard
Appellation: The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater
Planted: 2016
Varietals: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Viognier
Soil: Freewater Very Cobbly Loam
Elevation: 888ft
Size: 5.4 acres