Casey and Vicky McClellan, Proprietors |
Country of Origin: USA
Location: Walla Walla
People: Casey & Vicky McClellan, Owners | Casey McClellan, Winemaker
Established in 1988, Seven Hills Winery is one of Walla Walla Valley's
oldest and most respected wineries. Guided by founder, winemaker and
fourth generation farmer, Casey McClellan, Seven Hills Winery crafts an
acclaimed portfolio of vineyard-designate and appellation-inspired
wines. Focusing on benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-varietal
reds from the Red Mountain and Walla Walla Valley AVAs, the wines of
Seven Hills have played an important role in establishing the region's
reputation for world-class winemaking, and are recognized as some of the
finest wines in the Northwest.
Casey McClellan cultivated his interest in wines while planting the first block of Seven Hills Vineyard in the early 1980's. He went on to earn a Master's degree from the University of California at Davis specializing in the study of wine yeast performance. In 1988, Casey returned to the Walla Walla Valley to join the vineyard's founding partners in establishing Seven Hills Winery. "My goal as winemaker for Seven Hills Winery is to make intensely structured, balanced wines expressing the distinct terroir of their vineyard origin. I believe the soil, climate and grapes in the northwest appellations afford the opportunity to make wines ranked among the best in their class. I have been fortunate in my many years as Seven Hills winemaker to have developed fruit sources where I harvest from the same rows-the same vines each year. This is a precious resource for us, knowing the vines and working closely with our growers, we can craft wines attaining the full potential of the grape."
Vineyard Designates: These wines are from sites with character and sense of terroir, a commitment to lower yields and an interest in producing high-quality, memorable wines. Casey buys from the exact same vineyard rows year after year, and has personal input into their management and cultivation during the growing season. The grapes are picked by hand and great care is taken at the winery to capture the specific character of the fruit and vintage. Vintage to vintage differences will be evident, while winemaking techniques are relatively constant.
McClellan Estate Vineyard: Since being founded in 2003, McClellan Estate Vineyard has quickly
emerged as one of Walla Walla Valley's elite sources for
Bordeaux-varietal grapes. Directly adjacent to Seven Hills Vineyard,
which Casey helped to plant in 1982, McClellan Estate has deep silt-loam
soils, and is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc,
Malbec and Petit Verdot.
As part of the vision that guides McClellan Estate, the vineyard is
LIVE and Salmon Safe certified, and also meets the criteria for VINEA
sustainable growing.
Walla Walla Valley: With roots deep in the community, Casey's
longtime relationships with the region's winegrowers ensures access to
the best fruit - from the coveted "Old Blocks" of Seven Hills Vineyard
to such respected sites as Windrow, Minnick and Double River Ranch.
Benefiting from a unique temperate microclimate, and deeper, silt-based
soils, vineyards in this highly regarded appellation are at the heart of Seven Hill's Bordeaux-varietal program, which consistently produces
food-friendly wines notable for their complex structure and graceful
sophistication.
Columbia Valley: Encompassing nearly half of the state, the Columbia Valley AVA embodies
the depth and diversity of Washington winegrowing, and is widely
regarded as the home to North America's greatest Riesling
vineyards. Casey McClellan works with approximately 12 top
vineyards in five of the AVA's sub-appellations (Yakima Valley, Red
Mountain, Wahluke Slope,
Snipes Mountain and Walla Walla Valley), with sites that encompass a
range of elevations, microclimates and soils. Working with this
expansive palette of fruit, the Columbia Valley wines have earned a reputation for their layered appeal and
exceptional value. True Washington State wines, they offer excellent
fruit expression and elegant acid balance. Red Mountain: In 1989, Seven Hills Winery began looking for distinctive vineyards in microclimates
outside the Walla Walla Valley AVA. The exploration led to Klipsun Vineyard on the slopes of Red Mountain, and later to the renowned old vines of Ciel du Cheval.
In fact, Casey's commitment to Red Mountain predates its designation as a
unique appellation by a dozen years. With warmer temperatures, southwest
facings and shallow soils, the grand cru-caliber vineyards of Red
Mountain offer a singularly powerful expression of Washington
winegrowing, consistently producing some of the most intense fruit in the Seven Hills portfolio.
Seven Hills wines are vegetarian and vegan. No egg or fish products are used.
Social Media
Twitter: @7HillsWinery
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