The
winemaking philosophy at Terra Blanca is fairly simple
” ... Start with high quality grapes, treat gently, ferment
utilizing multiple yeasts, allow for solids contact to develop
flavor profiles and finally rack, fine and filter only as necessary. Allow the
grapes to express their terrior without inundating with excessive new oak. The
resulting wines exhibit balance, depth, complexity and structure.”
Keith Pilgrim - Winemaker
Terra Blanca is located on the Red Mountain in
the Yakima Valley, in Washington State's Red Mountain Wine Appellation,
near Kiona and Hedges wineries. Terra Blanca released its first vintage
with its 1997 wines, and the winery is becoming known for their big
red wines, a lovely Viognier, and a late harvest botrylized Semillon
Dessert
wine.
Terra Blanca began as the vision
of owner/winemaker Keith Pilgrim. Having studied at U.C. Davis in enology,
viticulture and geology back in the '80s, Keith had spent the last ten
years gathering information on vineyard sites up and down the West coast.
Drawing upon his combined geology/winemaking background, Keith looked to
identify vineyard sites best suited to the varietals he was most interested
in growing. After much searching and tasting he settled on the Southwestern
slope of Red Mountain, located at the Southernmost end of the Yakima Valley.
Three hundred acres were purchased in 1993 and the first 50 acres planted.The
name Terra Blanca, Latin for white earth, is
named for the high calcium carbonate content that whitens the soils.
Terra Blanca's first grapes were harvested from the
estate vineyard 1997. The Red Mountain area is a separate appellation from
the overall Yakima Valley appellation, and the most important factor that
makes it different is its soil. The white color of the soil seen when driving
through the area contains a very high amount of calcium carbonate. Calcium
carbonate adds to the flavor and texture of the wines, imparting silky
chalk and earthy notes. The soil of the Terra Blanca estate is composed
of silty fine sands and fine, sandy silt loams with interbeds of carbonate-coated
gravels, cobbles and boulders. Silt, sand and loam hold very little water
and when combined with drip irrigation allow for very tight moisture control.
Terra
Blanca uses the unique layered soil of their vineyard to control plant
vigor. Calcium carbonate-rich interbeds are found four and
fourteen feet below
the soil surface. Since grape roots cannot penetrate through these layers,
the vineyard crew rips through the layer at four feet with a Caterpillar
tractor. Leaving the layer at fourteen feet stops root penetration,
subsequently limiting
plant vigor.
Outstanding Red Mountain Cab from the superb 2001 vintage. Deftly balanced, with aromas of exotic spice, dark flowers, and mixed black and red fruit. Slightly dusty tannins that pair well with summe ...read more
GREAT VALUE Scents are of cherry perfume, with a hint of cherry blossom. Flavors are big, a perfect balance of lush, gushing fruit and quite big but pleasing tannins. There's also lots of soft ...read more
Cofermented with 2% Viognier, a light scent of black fruit complements beautifully balanced black cherry fruit and big, well integrated, pleasing tannins. The time in the cellar has allowed the big ta ...read more
An explosion of pineapple and mango. The intoxicating nose leads to the fruit basket of flavors consisting of pineapple and mango with pear, peach, apple and melon with nuances of honey and citrus. Th ...read more
The usual floral Viognier nose has hints of creamy vanilla, a result of the blending of 10% Rousanne in the wine. Flavors of crisp citrus and citrus peel combine with hints of buttery vanilla. The win ...read more
Washington State's intense The rich autumn gold of the 2003 Chenin Blanc Ice Wine is the first indication of the intense concentration of the wine. Aromas of honeyed peach, melon, pear, apple and tro ...read more
Black and dense, with flavors of black fruit, white pepper and spice. Finally available for shipping. A bright, full bodied alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this wine excels when paired w ...read more
Wine Spectator rating 90 points: "Complex, savory aromas and flavors mark this as something special. The tannins are firm, but give way to a wave of meaty cherry, spice, and smoke flavors, lingering o ...read more
From the winery: "Hints of leather and orange essence rise from the glass. Dark plum, fig, and cedar spice leave a deep impression on the palate. Floral and orange notes float over a velvet finish." ...read more
From the winery: "Crisp notes of peach and pear which mingle with tones of citrus. Peaches and pears dominate a sweet balance of natural acids and grape sugar. Hints of powdery hazelnut, honey and spi ...read more
