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The Columbia Gorge Winery is part of the Columbia Gorge Wine Country. |
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While not well-known yet, the Columbia River Gorge produces some very fine grapes. The Gorge is an extraordinary area, and has become world-renowned for its windsurfing in the area around Hood River, Oregon. The Gorge itself is protected by the federally-mandated Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area which restricts and controls development and promotes land stewardship. |
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Climatically, the Gorge is characterized by small microclimates. For example, at the Bonneville Dam, in the heart of the Gorge, the average rainfall is 130 inches per year. Forty miles to the east, at the beginning of the Gorge at The Dalles, average annual rainfall is six inches. The Gorge has strong winds, typically coming from the west in summer, which have made the region famous for its windsurfing. These microclimates also influence grapes. |
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Grape production is now found beginning just west of Hood River and eastward beyond The Dalles. The grapes grown near Hood River typically ripen with more difficulty due to cooler temperatures compared to those at The Dalles and further east. Across the Columbia River from Hood River is Underwood Mountain, an old volcano with deep volcanic soils. Celilo Vineyard, from which we obtain most of our grapes, is on Underwood Mountain. This vineyard is developing a reputation for excellent grapes. |
