The Wine Knows

Appellation: Columbia Valley

The youngest vineyard on this list is Stillwater Creek, a 245-acre vineyard in Washington's Frenchman Hills. The Frenchman Hills are on the Royal Slope, a region north of the Wahluke Slope. Steeply sloped in some areas - as much as 22 percent in some areas - Stillwater Creek was planted in 2000 at the urging of former Chateau Ste. Michelle winemaker Mike Januik. Januik makes wines for his eponymous winery as well as Novelty Hill Winery in Woodinville, Wash. Novelty Hill is owned by the Alberg family, which owned the sagebrush-covered land that became Stillwater for 40 years before Januik saw it. Now in its seventh year, Stillwater Creek already is highly allocated by dozens of boutique wineries across Washington, especially top producers in Walla Walla and Woodinville.

The primary grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. While most of the vineyard is south-facing, a few pockets are north-facing, which is where the Albergs have planted Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Red varieties make up more than 80 percent of this vineyard.

Stillwater Creek is in a cooler area of the Columbia Valley, thanks to its higher elevations (above 1,500 feet) and slightly northern climes. Thus, winemakers can allow grapes to hang longer without excess sugar accumulation. Cabernet Sauvignon often will stay on the vine until late October.