About the AVA
Unique Terroir of the
Horse Heaven Hills AVA
McKinley Springs is located in the heart of the Horse Heaven Hills, a long range of high, rolling hills in Klickitat, Yakima, and Benton counties in Washington State. The hills are an anticline ridge in the Yakima Fold Belt formed by north–south compression of lava flows in the Columbia River Basalt Group. The area takes its name from an early pioneer who said, upon seeing the region and its wide prairies and expanses, ''Surely this is Horse Heaven!”
acres of wine grapes
growing degree days
varietals grown
fields of wine grapes
acres of concords
feet elevation
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Location
The majority of our fields are on a south-facing slope, and our latitude provides extended summer sunlight and a high number of growing degree days.
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Soil
Our soil is comprised of Warden Silt Loam and a deep layer of broken basalt which controls water by absorbing excess moisture. Also found throughout the farm is granite from the Missoula glacial floods, which washed rock in from Montana during the last ice age.
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Climate
With its cool winters and warm summers, the Horse Heaven Hills AVA climate provides the ideal conditions for growing wine grapes. Arid conditions with high winds help reduce fungal disease, thicken grape skins and concentrate flavors.
