🌿 Our Estate Vineyard – Lake Chelan AVA
Clear, glacial waters irrigate our vines
Lake Chelan is a 55-mile-long inland fjord nestled in the North Cascade mountain range of north central Washington. Officially designated as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2009, it is one of Washington’s youngest — and most unique — winegrowing regions.
🍇 Glacial Gravels Estate Vineyard
Located on the north shore of Lake Chelan at 1300' elevation, our estate vineyard produces wines of distinction and complexity. Planted in 2005 and farmed by hand using organic and sustainable practices, this site benefits from its southwest aspect and gentle slope, which ensures excellent sun exposure and natural air drainage.
- Spacing: 8' x 5' Cabernet Franc vines
- Pruning: Double cordon
- Certification: LIVE and Salmon-Safe certified — the only such vineyard in North Central Washington
With consistent winds and low vigor, the vineyard encourages long, slow ripening — ideal for developing aromatic depth and supple tannins. The well-drained soils are a blend of glacial gravels, large stones, and scattered boulders — terroir that’s tailor-made for world-class wine grapes.
🪨 Geology
Unlike most of eastern Washington, our soils were not shaped by the Missoula Floods. During those events (20,000–10,000 years ago), Lake Chelan remained glaciated and untouched, preserving a unique mix of sandy gravels rich in granite, mica, and quartz. Volcanic pumice from ancient eruptions adds an ashy minerality, distinct to our vineyard and rare in the state.
🌊 Lake Effect
The lake itself moderates our climate. Acting as a massive heat sink, Lake Chelan keeps our winters milder, reducing the risk of frost and allowing for a longer growing season. Warm days and cool nights help our grapes ripen slowly and evenly — enhancing complexity without sacrificing freshness.
☀️ Climate
With just 10 inches of annual rainfall, we rely on precision drip irrigation — using clear, glacial runoff from the North Cascades. This desert-like climate gives us complete control over vine stress and ripening, translating directly into quality in the bottle.
✅ Certified Sustainable & Salmon-Safe
At Hard Row to Hoe, stewardship of the land and water comes first. We are proud to be the first vineyard in North Central Washington to achieve both SALMON-SAFE and LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) certification. It’s our commitment to protecting the Lake Chelan watershed and crafting wines that honor our land, our lake, and your glass.
