Wine Making
Winemaker: Marie-Eve Gilla
After earning her masters degree in enology and viticulture at the University of Dijon, Marie-Eve Gilla received practical training at local Burgundian wineries and vineyards. In 1991, she came to the United States to further her winemaking experience. Intending to stay for just a few months, she realized the incredible opportunities available in the wine industry. Now after more than ten years of making premium wines in the Northwest, she has come to appreciate the incredible growing conditions we enjoy in Eastern Washington.
"I spend a lot of time in the vineyard during pruning season, flowering and the ripening period for the grapes, "Marie-Eve says, "in order to assess the quality, pinpoint difficult areas and address them before they become a problem. If you know what's going on in the vineyard, you will know what to expect at harvest."
We primarily craft varietals wines by blending grapes from different sites in order to achieve the unique and lasting flavors we have come to enjoy so much in Washington wines. Sometimes vineyards in single bottling will be featured. In these exceptional years, we will work to release the elegance and outstanding character of the vineyard. We will also produce a Bordeaux blend worthy of extensive aging by integrating complex layers with structure to maintain an exceptional balance.
Marie-Eve Gilla is married to Gilles Nicault, Director of Winemaking and Viticulture at Long Shadows where he works alongside some of the world's greatest Winemakers. Long Shadows Vintners is a collection of ultra-premium wineries comprised of internationally acclaimed winemakers from the major wine regions of the world. Each winemaker is a partner in a unique winery dedicated to producing a single Columbia Valley wine representing a 'best of type' that reflects the winemaker's signature style.
Vineyards
Forgeron Cellars contracts with vineyards strategically located over the large Columbia Valley appellation and smaller appellations within. Our focus; reflect the quality of grapes from the best sites to reveal the full potential of Washington State vineyards.
TweetColumbia Gorge
Underwood Mountain Vineyard
The vineyard is located in Underwood, WA; 3 miles north of Hood River, OR. The elevation is around 1100 feet with a southeast exposure. The soil is a deep, well drained, reddish volcanic sandy, clay loam. The climate is reminiscent of Alsace and yields great cooler climate grapes.
Columbia Valley
Alder Ridge Vineyard
A warm site on the north side of the Columbia River, the vines grow on a south facing slope. The low vigor soil, remnants of the flood events and volcanic activity along the Columbia River basin, is great for vine balance and modest canopy.
Stone Tree Vineyard
The vineyard sits on the south slope of Saddle Mountain, just west of the saddle, four miles east of the town of Mattawa. Looking down onto the plateau to the southwest, you can just make out the Columbia River six miles away. Several of the best vineyards on the Wahluke Slope lie on the lower elevations between the Columbia and Stone Tree Vineyard.
Red Mountain
Klipsun Vineyard
Derived from the Chinook for "clipped sun", Klipsun Vineyard is located on the western edge of Red Mountain on southwestern facing slopes overlooking the Yakima River.
Walla Walla Valley
Les Collines
Located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains at the 1200 foot level, Norm and Shane McKibben started planting in 2001. The soil produces unique flavor characteristics, even in young fruit.
Pepper Bridge
Pepper Bridge Vineyard combines cutting edge technology and sustainable agricultural to produce some of the most sought after grapes in Washington. This vineyard produces supple, elegant fruit which melds perfectly with our winemaking style.
Yakima Valley
Boushey Vineyards
Dick Boushey produces some of the finest wine grapes in Washington and we source from three of his vineyards. In 1993 Dick planted the Home Place Merlot Vineyard. The soil is Burke silt loam soil overlaying fractured basalt.
Tasting Room Open Daily
11am to 4 pm
Closed Major Holidays
