Tour locations
The Rock District
The Walla Walla Valley AVA spans the borders of both Oregon and Washington, boasting an impressive assortment of wines such as Grenache, Cabernet, and Merlot, among others. The area's sprawling hills nurture over 475 acres of wine-grape plants as of 2022. This unique landscape can be found just south of the Washington state boundary.
Wine Spectator Magazine dubbed The Rocks District near Milton-Freewater as America's most distinctive terroir. It's known for its abundant basalt cobblestones in mineral-rich soil.
The most distinctive terroir in America
This sun-drenched destination has an uncharted feel (the AVA was officially christened in 2015), with 40 vineyards providing a green splash of vines against the relaxed silhouette of the Blue Mountains.
The first wine pioneers in the region walked the land in the summer of 1860.
The Rocks District is wholly contained within both Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Valley AVA's. It is found in northeastern Oregon, 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Pendleton, Oregon, and five miles (eight km) south of Walla Walla, WA. The Rocks District occupies a very gently sloping alluvial fan deposited by the Walla Walla River, where it exits the foothills of the Blue Mountains and enters the broad flat floor of the Walla Walla Valley. Elevations range from 800 to 1,000 feet (245-305 m).
Most days during the growing season are sunny and straightforward with very low humidity, so sizeable daily temperature variations are common. During summers, the region often experiences 5-10 days with temperatures exceeding 100 °F (38 C).
The unique soils of The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater are its defining characteristic. They consist of pebbles and cobbles of basalt (dark volcanic rock) in a matrix of sand and silt. The rocky soil is extremely well drained, encouraging the vines to root deeply, and the dark rocks efficiently transfer heat into the soil and radiate heat to the ripening grapes. The Rocks District is the only AVA in the United States whose boundaries were determined by a single land-form and a single soil series.
Wines produced from this region showcase a lovely aromatic bouquet with a savory palate and a prominent, lingering minerality on the finish.
Region History:
Wine grape production in The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater was initiated by Italian emigrants who first arrived in the area in the 1860s. By the early 1880s, the region produced thousands of gallons of wine, mainly for consumption by miners in the gold fields of northern Idaho. A cold winter in the late 1880s, combined with the end of the gold rush, forced the farmers to turn most of their vineyards into orchards. However, many farmers maintained small vineyards and continued to produce limited quantities of wine for family and friends. Isolated wild vines that are the remnants of these small family vineyards can still be found in The Rocks District.
The modern era of wine production began in the 1990s when vineyards planted by winemakers in the region earned acclaim for producing wines with sumptuous aromas and unique flavor profiles. By 2015, the cobble soils near Milton-Freewater hosted more than 475 acres (115 ha) of vineyards, and The Rocks District was approved as Oregon’s 18th AVA.
A favorite Winery in the Rock District to visit:
The Rotie Rocks Estate
Taste through six of their latest releases while taking in the best view in the Walla Walla Valley. Wines are served on two flights for you to enjoy and compare, and they currently have inside and outside seating on their covered patio. Reservations are highly recommended to ensure the best-tasting experience and view.
Rotie Cellars was born out of a desire to pay homage to the wines of the Rhône Valley. From the deep and complex Syrah-Viognier blends of the Northern Rhône, to the sultry GSM's of the South, the renowned region offers a wealth of inspiration.Since 2007, winemaker and owner Sean Boyd's goal has been to make traditional Rhône blends in Washington State. Boyd's wine-making philosophy is simple- combine old world wine-making techniques with the highest quality Rhône varietals that Washington has to offer. Boyd sources from some of the best and oldest vineyards in the state in an effort to showcase the most elegant blend possible, while ensuring the typicity of the fruit is expressed.
Each year a new vintage of the Northern and Southern red and white blends is released, bringing different attributes of the growing season to the table. The Northern Blend is a savory companion to the Southern Blend, a rounded trifecta of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Rotie's whites are crisp, bright, and the perfect pairing to fresh seafood. On truly exceptional years, a vintage of varietal wines may be released, such as Grenache and Mourvèdre.
Rotie's program is small and focused, and production limited. Each lot is individually attended to, allowing for an uncompromising approach to quality.
