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HORS CATÉGORIE

Christophe Baron

It’s a well-known story, how in 1997 Christophe Baron, founder and vigneron of Cayuse Vineyards, planted his first vines in a field of stones because it reminded him of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in France. In the process, he almost single-handedly brought the world’s attention to the potential of Syrah grown in the Walla Walla Valley. In 2005, Christophe discovered the Hors Catégorie vineyard site and created the first vineyard planted on the steep slope along the Walla Walla River's North Fork. 
It’s a well-known story, how in 1997 Christophe Baron, founder and vigneron of Cayuse Vineyards, planted his first vines in a field of stones because it reminded him of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in France. In the process, he almost single-handedly brought the world’s attention to the potential of Syrah grown in the Walla Walla Valley. In 2005, Christophe discovered the Hors Catégorie vineyard site and created the first vineyard planted on the steep slope along the North Fork of the Walla Walla River. 
It’s a rare terroir, absolutely unique in America, with a climate, exposure and topography creating an incomparable wine-growing estate. At the convergence of the north fork and the Walla Walla River, the Syrah vines of Hors Catégorie survive in meagre soils of fractured basalt. The high-density planting of 3,555 vines to the acre are staked only 3.5’ x 3.5’ apart.

On this virgin soil, the gradient can be up to 60 degrees, and cultivation can only be done by hand or with machinery winched between the rows. The estate is farmed biodynamically, as all of Christophe Baron’s vineyards are, and in the pasture 150 feet below, cows, goats, sheep, beehives and other wildlife complete the natural ecosystem.

On this virgin soil, the gradient can be up to 60 degrees, and cultivation can only be done by hand or with machinery winched between the rows. The estate is farmed biodynamically, as all of Christophe Baron’s vineyards are, and in the pasture 150 feet below, cows, goats, sheep, beehives and other wildlife complete the natural ecosystem.

REGION OF PRODUCTION

Washington - USA


APPELLATION

-


FOUNDED

2005

VINEYARD

1 hectare


CLIMATE

Dry and hot climate, with cool nights


SOIL COMPOSITION

Basalt


VARIETIES GROWN

Syrah


AGRICULTURE

Biodynamic


WINES OF THE DOMAIN

HORS CATEGORIE Syrah 2017
$419.00$419.00

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