HORSEPOWER
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. Christophe’s latest project, Horsepower, gets its name from the draft horses that work its vines. Horsepower Vineyards is about tradition and history—and making history. It’s a connection between a vigneron and his roots, a homage to craft and family. It is the first estate in America to be farmed this way exclusively.
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. Christophe’s latest project, Horsepower, gets its name from the draft horses that work its vines. Horsepower Vineyards is about tradition and history—and making history. It’s a connection between a vigneron and his roots. An homage to craft and family. It is the first estate in America to be farmed this way exclusively.
Like Cayuse Vineyards, Horsepower is farmed according to an astrological sowing and planting calendar, and entirely without using herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, chemical insecticides or fungicides. Today, six horses, with their teamsters, cultivate tightly spaced 19th century-style vineyards that only they can navigate, using specialized farming equipment created by a blacksmith in Burgundy, France.
REGION OF PRODUCTION
Washington - USA
APPELLATION
-
FOUNDED
-
VINEYARD
4.5 hectares
CLIMATE
Dry and hot climate, with cool nights
SOIL COMPOSITION
-
VARIETIES GROWN
Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, Trempillano
AGRICULTURE
Biodynamic