Grow. Sip. Explore.
Growing Dreams
Discover the art of grape growing, and wine tasting with me!
Vineyard Trips
Explore vineyards, learn about the latest techniques and technologies, and geek out over vines, soils, and grape cultivation.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the art and science of grape growing, and discover new ways to grow your own grapes and make great wine.
Alexandria Nicole Cellars
Red Mountain
Goose Ridge
Sokol Blosser
One Vine at a Time
Building My Dream Vineyard: The Journey Ahead
Hi there! I'm Erin, and I'm so glad you're here!
I've always had a passion for grape growing and the world of wine, and I'm on a mission to turn that passion into a reality. I moved to Washington wine country six years ago because, let's be real, who wouldn't want to live in a place where the grapes are grown? Since then, I've had the chance to visit and taste the offerings at many amazing wineries, but there are still so many more to explore.
I started Dreams Grower as a way to document my journey and share what I'm learning along the way. Whether you're just starting your grape growing journey or are a seasoned wine enthusiast, I hope this blog will be a place where you can learn, grow, and connect with others who share your passion.
So, grab a glass of your favorite wine, sit back, and join me on this exciting adventure. Let's grow, sip, and explore together!
Expert insights and tips on grape growing and wine making
Inspiring stories and updates on Erin's journey to owning a vineyard
In-depth reviews and recommendations for the best vineyards to visit
A warm and welcoming community of grape growing and wine enthusiasts to connect with and share your experiences with.
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Join the Adventure to Discover New Vineyards
Monthly Vineyard Feature
We're always on the lookout for the best vineyards and wineries to visit and share with our readers. In our Monthly Vineyard Feature, we showcase a new and exciting winery each month, sharing all the details and highlights that make it worth a visit.
Our Monthly Vineyard Feature is the perfect way to discover new wineries and learn about the best grape growing regions. So, come along with us on this exciting adventure and discover the finest wines and vineyards the world has to offer.
Hedge's Family Estate
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Our Instagram feed is the perfect place to stay up-to-date with all the latest grape growing news, tips, and insights. From the latest developments in our vineyard journey to the best wine and food pairings, we share it all on our Instagram page.
Whether you're a passionate grape grower or just a wine lover, our Instagram feed is the perfect place to connect with like-minded people and discover new and exciting things about the world of grape growing and wine culture. So, be sure to follow us on Instagram and join our community today!
Fresh Insights
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The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA
The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA is a sub-region of the larger Columbia Valley AVA in south-central Washington state, USA. The AVA is located on a benchland on the north bank of the Columbia River. The Horse Heaven Hills AVA to the east and the Columbia Gorge AVA to the west borders it. The Burn of Columbia Valley is triangle-shaped and wholly contained within the larger Columbia Valley AVA.
The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA covers 16,870 acres and has 1,500 acres of vineyards. The soils of the AVA are primarily silty loams and have a higher proportion of organic matter. This results in good plant-available water holding capacity that can deliver sufficient water to the vines during the growing season. The AVA has an average annual precipitation of 8-9 inches.
The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA gets its name from legends of early settlers who set fire to the land in the fall to replenish and rejuvenate the grasslands for their horses in the spring. This area has been known as The Burn for over a 100 years based on old topography maps.
It is a young growing area, with most of its vines planted since 2015, even though the first planting was in 2002. It now has four vineyards, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with Syrah, Malbec, Chardonnay, and Sangiovese. Almost all of the grapes go to Ste Michelle Wine Estates for its Borne of Fire.
Borne of Fire Cabernet Sauvignon epitomizes the terroir of The Burn. This rugged yet elegant wine leads with herbaceous aromas. With smooth tannins, the wine has flavors of cherry, currant, and savory spice. A green coffee inflected finish rounds out the overall experience. (Tasting note from elicit.wine).
Cabernet Sauvignon with a grilled burger is one of my favorite pairings. And fortunately for me, my partner is willing to be the chef. He does most of the cooking, and I pick the wine, which is a pretty good pairing. He made a blue cheese-stuffed burger topped with caramelized onions smoked on the Traeger. The recipe is from The Gourmet Cookbook: More Than 1000 Recipes.
Have you tried this wine?
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