The Wine Knows

Appellation: Columbia Valley

Planted in 1973, this 660-acre vineyard owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle has a lot of history behind it.

In the notorious winter of 1979, most of the vineyard was lost after a straight month of subfreezing weather. Undaunted, owner U.S. Tobacco replanted the vineyard - this time ripping the ground several feet down so the roots could grow deep.

Few wineries outside the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates family get to work with Cold Creek's Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay or Riesling, but the grapes go to the finest wines made by the company, including Ste. Michelle's Ethos and vineyard-designated bottlings, Col Solare and Northstar.

Despite its name, Cold Creek usually receives in excess of 3,000 heat units.