Farming
Farming is the heart of winemaking. We own and operate farms in two extremely unique valleys where diversity has all too often sparked our curiosity and ignited our drive. Differences in soil, elevation, aspect, geology, and the way the wind blows through each individual block. A decade ago we would not have guessed we would be making these wines in these places. However, the inspiration of the land was too great.
Farming is what we tirelessly do and we continue to push the envelope. Learning from those who have come before us and trying to set a good example for those looking up to us. Whether it is committing to treating our loyal crew members like ourselves, planting beautifully diverse areas for other crops and ecosystems to thrive, or learning and applying organic and regenerative practices on our land, we are always trying to be better. This is where truly great wines, that cannot be replicated, are “made”. Creating genuine happiness is a core purpose of ours - in our crews, in our land, and ultimately, we hope you see it yourself through the joy you experience when opening a bottle of our wine.
Please click on one of our estate vineyards to the right to learn more about each unique property.
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Coulee Vineyard
“Our new estate vineyard in Eola-Amity Hills is extremely exciting. We were fortunate to be able to acquire this piece of land in 2021 from Mimi Casteel who took such great care of the earth and vines in her inspiring practice of regenerative farming. The site itself has such a diverse array of aspects, soil types, and clonal selection that we are ecstatic to get to know the site and make our estate grown, single vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc.”
– Josh McDaniels
Acres
34 acres planted, 80 acres total
Location
Eola-Amity Hills – Willamette Valley
Elevation
200-400 feet
Soil
Nekia, Willakenzie, Saumparret, Glacial Erratic
Rainfall
40 inches per year
Trellising
VSP
Planted
2008
Varietals
Pinot Noir Clones: Pommard, Wadenswill 667, 777, 943
Chardonnay Clones: Wente, 548, 77, 809
Chenin Blanc
Schafer Vineyard
“I grew up working at Leonetti’s Mill Creek Upland Vineyard and spent much of my early days in the wine industry in this area. Our newest estate is directly next to that vineyard, and I could not be happier about it after searching for years in this area for the right piece to become available. This is a pivotal piece for the beginning of Bledsoe|McDaniels in the Walla Walla Valley.”
– Josh McDaniels
Acres
15 acres planted, 20 acres total
Location
Mill Creek, Walla Walla Valley
Elevation
1,390-1,450 feet
Soil
Onyx Silt Loams
Rainfall
20 inches per year
Trellising
VSP Bi-Lateral
Planted
2007
Varietals
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot
LeFore Vineyard
"Originally planted in the late 1990’s, this vineyard is on the eastern side of the Rocks District of Milton Freewater, a sub-AVA of the Walla Walla Valley, and is named after the apple farm that was originally there. The two Syrah blocks we have are buried in cobblestones from the most uniform soil series for an AVA in America. Tremendous sex appeal in tannin structures, followed by smoked game, all types of olives, and more, these wines are truly unique for single vineyard Syrah."
– Josh McDaniels
Acres
26 acres planted, 30 acres total
Location
Rocks District of Milton-Freewater – Southern Walla Walla Valley
Elevation
940 feet
Soil
Very Cobbly Loam
Rainfall
10-12 inches per year
Trellising
VSP Bi-Lateral Trellising
Planted
Late 1990's
Varietals
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Viognier, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Grenache
McQueen Vineyard
"Our original estate vineyard, McQueen sits atop a ridgeline of fractured basalt at 1,440 feet in elevation. This was the first vineyard to be planted in the SeVein development on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley AVA. We have two different clones of Syrah planted on terraces of southern exposure. Each vine is head trained on a single post of which we had to jack hammer out every individual vine hole. This is easily the most challenging block of vineyard we have ever farmed."
– Josh McDaniels
Acres
23 acres planted, 50 acres total
Location
SeVein-Southern Walla Walla Valley
Elevation
1,200-1,440 feet
Soil
Wind-blown Glacial Loess over Fractured Basalt
Rainfall
8-9 inches per year
Trellising
VSP Unilateral, Head Trained
Planted
Spring 2007
Varietals
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Nebbiolo
