This is the exciting time of the year when we watch the buds emerge from the vines and the plants gear up for another great Washington State vintage.  We got through the winter without any apparent winter damage so, at this point, the vines look healthy and all the fabulous potential is stored up inside those little emerging shoots.  Valentine's day is the traditional day to start pruning after the worst risk of winter injury is over.  Pruning started in February and was completed by most vineyards in April.  While some of the earlier budding fruit varieties such as peaches, apricots and cherries were damaged by frosts in April, it is looking like Washington vineyards have escaped without significant injury from spring frosts.  Mother’s Day is the traditional day when growers breathe a sigh of relief that frost season is over.  The 2007 vintage year will benefit from an excellent snow pack in the Cascade Mountains, assuring a good supply of irrigation water for those vineyards that rely on our system of reservoirs and canals. 

The spring is also the time when vines are typically planted and nothing quite compares to the starting of a new vineyard.  Because Brian has long wanted to produce a Spanish-style blend, he was particularly thrilled to take part in the recent planting of a new Yakima Valley vineyard near Sunnyside dedicated solely to Iberian varieties.  Brian Carter Cellars is sharing in the development of this block at Newhouse Vineyard on Snipes Mountain.  This fabulous South facing site has been planted with Temperanillo, Graciano, Monastrell (Spanish name for Mourvedre) as well as four Port varieties.

Brian’s history with the Solstice vineyard only goes back to 1988 when he remembers  his first time walking though Jim’s then 7 year old Cabernet Sauvignon block high on the Rosa above Prosser.  “Between Hedges Cellars, Apex and Brian Carter Cellars we made a lot of great wine from that bloc,” recounts Brian.  Today the Solstice Vineyard is Brian Carter Cellars second most purchased vineyard after Stone Tree.  A cooler site than most, Brian is enamored by the great fruit and balanced acidity the wines have. “They are some of my favorite wines in many of our blends, particularly the Oriana and Tuttorosso.”  In addition to Viognier and Sangiovese, Brian also buys Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Riesling. “Now that Jim is growing Roussanne, on what looks to be a perfect site for it, we are going to add that variety to the list in 2010.”

In addition to the 15 wine grape varieties at Solstice, Jim also grows Apples and Cherries. Members of the community since 1949, three generations of the Willard family have always been leaders in the Prosser Community where they are participants in a number of boards and clubs.  Always innovators their dome shaped home located on the vineyard is one of the most unique in the state.