Hightower Cellars sources fruit from a wide variety of carefully chosen, skillfully managed vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills, Red Mountain and Walla Walla Valley appellations. The combination of warm and moderate climates of the respective sites lend to the elegant complexity of Hightower wines.

Out of Line

We named our estate vineyard on Red Mountain, Out of Line, (not due to the personalities of the winemakers) but because our vineyard rows are canted eleven off of north south. This orientation more evenly balances the sun exposure on each side of the vine row, increasing the exposure on the east and decreasing it on the west. In 2005 we finished planting 10 acres of vineyard: 6 acres planted with 5 clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 1/2 acres planted with 4 clones of Merlot and 1/2 acres of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc – with all of the plant material certified to be free of diseases and pests.

Artz and E & E Shaw Vineyards

These vineyards, both located on Red Mountain, provide the backbone to the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Most of Red Mountain is covered by Worden Silt Loam. This soil type retains very little moisture and contains little organic material, both causing the grapes to struggle tremendously. This struggle, channels the vine's energy where it needs to be -- in the berries.

Red Mountain is one of the warmest sites in Washington and receives an average of 6 inches rainfall per year. Artz Vineyard produces dark, intense, minerally, masculine fruit while the grapes from E & E Shaw Vineyard contain more floral and feminine characteristics. Both vineyards lend intense color, concentrated dark fruit and tannin structure to Hightower wines.

Alder Ridge Vineyard

Located in the Horse Heaven Hills of southern Washington State, the vineyard stretches over 814 acres on an astonishing basalt plateau high above the Columbia River. The long growing season, cool nights, dry climate and light soils imbue the grapes with lush, mature flavors and concentrated color. The Hightowers contract first-rate Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from this impressive site.

Pepper Bridge

One of the most famous & highly relied-upon vineyards in Washington State, is located in the Walla Walla Valley Appellation. Trained on the Scott Henry and Smart-Dyson trellising systems, the vineyard uses revolutionary technology for its weather-tracking and irrigation systems. Pepper Bridge is made up of Walla Walla Silt Loam - wind-blown glacial Loess with about 1/3 sand content. This vineyard produces grapes with bright cherry flavors and contributes voluptuous nuances to the Hightower Merlot.