Single Vineyard Grenache

Our Single Vineyard Grenache program is intended to showcase how different Grenache can taste when grown in different vineyards and growing regions. Our winemaking is kept the same across the vineyards we work with, so that in each vintage the differences between our Single Vineyard Grenache wines is the vineyard and not different winemaking techniques. These wines are intended to be a nuanced and focused deep dive into the specific vineyard and how that showcases through Grenache.

Links to specific vineyards and vintages:

Upland Vineyard

2021 2020 2016 2015 2014 2013

French Creek Vineyard

2021 2020 2019-Blk 11 2019-Blk 20

Yakima Valley / Art Den Hoed Vineyard

2016 2015 2014

Reviews:

Upland Vineyard

2020 Vintage:

Northwest Wine Report: 91 pts, Critic’s Choice

Coming from one of the state’s top Grenache sites, fruit was whole cluster fermented (50%) and then aged 20 months in French oak. The aromas offer notes of tea leaf, raspberry, and cherry, showing some initial reduction. The flavors are pleasingly plump and exquisitely pure. Coffee notes linger on the finish. It’s flat out beautiful and moves up if the reduction clears. Decant — Sean Sullivan

International Wine Report: 91 pts

The 2020 ‘Upland Vineyard’ Grenache, aged for 20 months in neutral French oak and fermented with 50% whole clusters, is a soft and approachable wine. Medium-bodied, it offers a delicate mix of crushed peppercorn spice alongside vibrant crushed strawberries and black cherry notes. There is a smooch of earthiness that sits on the mid-palate which I loved. With its gentle structure and balanced acidity, it finishes smooth and refreshing. 75 cases made. — Jeremy Young

Wine Enthusiast: 90 pts

This is a graceful expression of Grenache, with a lighter body, restrained alcohol, vivid acidity and crisp texture. Aromas include tart red raspberry, balsa wood and thyme. Strawberry and chocolate flavors are accented by bits of cranberry and citrus. Aged for 18 months in neutral French oak. — Michael Alberty

Paul Gregutt’s Northwest Wine Guide: 90 pts

Subtle, elegant and light, this will appeal to those who favor nuance over power. Lightly layered with citrus, orange, strawberry, pie crust and white pepper, it’s best enjoyed lightly chilled. — Paul Gregutt

Owen Bargreen: 90 pts

Soft and approachable the medium bodied 2020 ‘Upland Vineyard’ Grenache offers green peppercorns with a pretty core of red raspberry and red cherry fruit flavors. Enjoy now. Drink 2024-2028 — Owen Bargreen

French Creek Vineyard

2020 Vintage:

Wine Enthusiast: 91 pts, Editor’s Choice

This wine sees 50% whole cluster fermentation, with 18 months in neutral French oak. The tannins are integrated and everything about this wine invoke the word "nimble." Aromas of dark plum, orange peel and saline are a nice set-up for bright apricot, blackberry and thyme flavors. — Michael Alberty

International Wine Report: 91 pts

Crafted with 50% whole cluster fermentation and aged for 20 months in neutral French oak on lees, the 2020 ‘French Creek Vineyard’ Grenache reveals a dynamic profile. Aromas of sliced strawberries and zesty white grapefruit pith are layered with notes of dusty earth and a hint of dried meats. Fine-grained tannins provide structure, leading to a smooth, polished finish. 100 cases made. — Jeremy Young

Northwest Wine Report: 90 pts

Half of the fruit for this wine was whole cluster fermented. It was subsequently aged 20 months in neutral oak. The aromas are effusive, with notes of potpourri in the lead, followed by strawberry, dried tangerine rind, and barrel spice. The palate is lighter-styled and graceful, almost delicate, mixing fruit and barrel. It’s a pretty offering of the variety. — Sean Sullivan

Paul Gregutt’s Northwest Wine Guide: 90 pts

Among the three wines tasted this is the most concentrated, with focused cherry fruit and a whiff of pastry. Done in a clean, drink now style, it spent 20 months in neutral French oak prior to bottling, and was released last October. — Paul Gregutt

Owen Bargreen: 90 pts

The juicy 2020 Ocelli Cellars ‘French Creek Vineyard’ Grenache offers bright strawberry starburst candy flavors alongside good tension and orange peel notes. Drink 2024-2029 — Owen Bargreen

2019 Vintage - Block 11:

Wine Enthusiast: 91 pts

In contrast to the winery's other offering from this same vineyard, fruit for this wine is Clone 3. Reserved aromas of herb, pepper and red fruit lead to spicy, pure, textured, full-feeling flavors. The emphasis here is firmly on purity and delicacy. — Sean Sullivan

2019 Vintage - Block 20:

Wine Enthusiast: 89 pts

This is a rare, single-block, single-clone (515) look at Grenache from this site in Yakima Valley best known for Chardonnay. The aromas pop, with notes of satsuma, white pepper, wintergreen and red raspberry. The flavors are light and pure, without any trace of new oak in site. — Sean Sullivan