Founded in 1968 through the vision of Alec Bayless, Sagemoor Vineyards
was a pioneering effort that helped establish the Washington State
wine industry (see Excerpts below). Its early vineyards
are among the oldest large-scale plantings of vinifera grapes in
the State.
Today, the Sagemoor Group has more than 800 acres in production,
supplying premium quality fruit to many of Washington’s most
prominent wineries. A significant number of 1972 plantings are
still producing highly acclaimed "old vines" Cabernet
Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Other varietals include Merlot,
Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and White Riesling.
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Excerpts
from “The Wine Project – Washington’s Winemaking
History”, by Ronald Irvine:
“This (Sagemoor Vineyards)
became the most important vineyard planting in the Pacific
Northwest, with 466 acres of vineyard and no (captive)
winery, it became a crucial supplier to many of the small
wineries throughout the Pacific Northwest for quality vinifera
grapes... Sagemoor Farms consistently produced
some of the best grapes in the state. It can be said that
Sagemoor Farms and its companion vineyards (Bacchus and
Dionysus) truly became the mother vineyards for many of
the first wineries that emerged in the ‘70s and ‘80s....
Even Oregon’s first wineries relied on Sagemoor fruit
to get established....” |
The Sagemoor group is comprised of four partnerships under common
management, doing business as Sagemoor Vineyards: Sagemoor
Farms, Bacchus Vineyards, Dionysus
Vineyards and Weinbau Vineyards.
Location is an extremely important factor in growing high quality
grapes, and these vineyards are situated on some of the finest
sites in the state. Sagemoor, Bacchus and Dionysus are located
near Pasco on southwest facing hillsides with dramatic views
of the Columbia River below. Weinbau is on the Wahluke Slope
above the Columbia River near Mattawa.
Sagemoor customers represent
the largest of Washington state wineries, as well as boutique
niche market cellars. Our winemaker clients
actively participate in viticultural decision-making within their
preferred blocks in pursuit of their personal flavor profile goals.
Precision farming techniques such as vigor mapping, Regulated Deficit
Irrigation, soil profiling, micro nutrient analysis and “green
harvest” thinning are applied to manage yields, balance canopy
with crop load, optimize sun exposure and ensure consistent high
quality fruit. We further tailor our services to give clients the
choice of tonnage or acre contracts, hand-pick or machine harvest,
bin or tub containers, transportation options and payment terms
to suit their specific needs. We strongly believe that only through
close, personalized working relationships with our clients can
we realize the common goal of growing great wine!
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