From Willamette Valley to Walla Walla

From Willamette Valley to Walla Walla. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report.

Wineries all over the northwest are discovering that the Pacific Northwest has some great wine growing regions and they are not afraid to take the leap across the miles for that great potential. Such is the case with Willamette Valley Vineyards who have recently grabbed up 42 acres of prime wine grape growing land in the Walla Walla AVA.

COLLIER: We have a vision to continue telling the Oregon wine story and we feel that that story can be broader than just the Willamette Valley where we currently make wine. There's other very high quality growing regions within the state that also have a voice and have something that they bring to the table.

That's Christine Collier, wine director for Willamette Valley.

COLLIER: Walla Walla was intriguing to us because it straddles both states, Oregon and Washington and we you are looking at where some of the highest quality vineyard sites are on, it's on the Oregon side so wanting to be a part of that was an easy decision.

Collier says they plan to plant cabernet sauvignon on the site in the spring of next year with the first crop used for wine not planned until three years later. She also says they will be adding some jobs to the region.

COLLIER: We will have the whole production and hospitality operation based in Walla Walla so no grapes will be brought over here to the Willamette, it's all staying there so we hope that we can assemble a great team in the future

That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.