Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 2015)
September 11, 2015 CapitalPress.com Grower sees success in unlikely location By ERICK PETERSON For the Capital Press YAKIMA, Wash. — Phil Cline describes himself pri- marily as a grape grower. This is appropriate, he said, be- cause he is involved in many more wineries than his own operation, and most of his days are spent working for others. “I manage vineyards for other people,” he said. “I probably grow more different types of grapes than any oth- er grower in the state, except for the nursery that makes the plants.” In all, he grows 100 acres of grapes, with 31 varieties. His Naches Heights Vineyard RQO\ DFFRXQWV IRU ¿YH RI WKH varietals — Pinot Gris, Char- donnay, Riesling, Syrah and Gewurtztraminer — and 8 1/2 DFUHV¿UVWSODQWHGLQ Prior to planting grapes, he was in the apple business — a member of the third gen- eration of an apple-growing family in the area. Hail storms damaged his apples, howev- er, and forced him out of the business. Ercik Peterson/For the Capital Press Naches Heights Vineyard owner Phil Cline of Yakima, Wash., leans against the logo of his winery, painted onto a van. Concerned about his next step, he thought he would try something new. A friend who is a winemaker told him that he could do well in grapes, so he thought he would give it a shot. People were skeptical, he said — not of him, but his chosen location. The eleva- tion of Naches Heights was thought to be too high — 1,740 to 1,800 feet above sea level — for grapes. Cline, however, knew better. He was familiar with other area growers who were successful growing at similar elevations, dating back to the 1970s. And yes, he confesses, most other vineyards are at lower elevations in the Ya- kima Valley. The lowest one that he manages is at 900 feet. He adds that elevation is im- portant; it provides the proper temperatures for grapes. Want to keep up with current ag technology? Become the new generation of farmer - at the forefront of technology and agriculture - with a Precision Agriculture degree at WWCC! Mike Hagerman (509) 527-4217 michael.hagerman@wwcc.edu V15-4/#6 Contact us today! Lindsey Williams (509) 524-5239 lindsey.williams@wwcc.edu V15-7/14 7
