Alexandria Nicole Cellars


Photo by Steve Gaddis

Prosser Tasting Room & Tapas Café
Wine & Food Par
k
2880 Lee Road, Suite C
Prosser, WA  99350
509-786-3497

Winery & Destiny Ridge Estate Vineyard
Tasting Room, too

158422 W Sonova Road
Horse Heaven Hills
509-832-3497

Woodinville Tasting Room
19501 144th Ave NE
Bldg E #700

(
Suite shared with Darby Cellars)
Woodinville, WA 

Email:  info@alexandrianicolecellars.com
Website:  www.alexandrianicolecellars.com

Winery Information
The Details
Principles: 
Jarrod and Ali Boyle
Winemaker:  
Jarrod Boyle

Vineyard Foreman:
Jose Luis Yanez

Average Annual Production:
4,000 cases

Small Lots of Hand-Crafted Wines
Secure Online Ordering

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
Grenache, Syrah, Lemberger,
Cab Franc Rosé, Red Blends,
Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc,
White Rhone Blend

Destiny Ridge Vineyard

Alexandria Nicole's estate vineyard
Horse Heaven Hills Appellation
243 vineyard acres


The Ridge: A Wine Club

Over the Ridge Series
The Vineyard Series

Winery is located at
Destiny Ridge Estate Vineyard
[MAP]

Winery Tasting Room  Xboxpncl.wmf (5138 bytes)
Daily:  11 am - 5 pm  
Vineyard Tours & Barrel Tastings 
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11 am - 5 pm, by appointment only
Call 509-786-3497  
Banquet Facilities
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Special events  Xboxpncl.wmf (5138 bytes)



Daily, 11 am to 5 pm;
Small Plates served Thurs - Sun

 


Woodinville Tasting Room
[MAP]

Saturday & Sunday 12 - 5 pm;
Wine Club Members: 11 am - 5 pm


Alexandria Nicole Cellars
...where Destiny, Winemaking and Passion join hands

THE STORY

       When Jarrod and Ali Boyle christened their 367 acres of land in the Horse Heaven Hills of Washington, the choice of its name came easily.  Providence played a strong role in the birth of Alexandria Nicole Cellars and its estate vineyard. Paying tribute to that force – so central to their dream come true – was a natural in the naming of Destiny Ridge Vineyard. 

       Jarrod was born in Prosser and learned the secrets of successful vineyard management as assistant viticulturalist under the tutelage of Dr. Wade Wolfe when both worked for Hogue Cellars.  It was here that wine grape growing and winemaking became Jarrod's passion. 

       While working for Hogue, Jarrod was in charge of inspecting grapes and making grower recommendations to help grape varietals achieve their desired characteristics.  A routine inspection of a vineyard on Horse Heaven Hills one day turned into an paradigm shift in Jarrod's career and life.  It was that day he noticed a nearby piece of barren land, sloping gently to the south, overlooking the Columbia River.  From that moment forward, visions of vineyard blocks danced in Jarrod's head. 

       Soon after, a casual conversation with an old friend led Jarrod to tell the story of his Horse Heaven Hills discovery and his vision of planting a vineyard there.  Jarrod's friend Rob Mercer (a member of a local farming family) was almost as excited as Jarrod.  The level of shared excitement escalated when Rob realized the land of Jarrod's dream was owned by his father... Bud Mercer.  Before long, the Mercer family joined with the Boyle family and the dream of a vineyard on the hillside... and Destiny Ridge Vineyard was born.  The first vines were planted in the fall of 1998. 

(Continue at top of column two)

THE WINERY

       It wasn't long before Jarrod's thoughts turned to a winery and producing wines from grapes grown on Destiny Ridge Vineyard.  With control over viticultural choices in his vineyard, Jarrod could monitor fruit quality from bud to bottle for a winery!

       The state-of-the-art Alexandria Nicole Cellars winery (named for Ali Boyle, Jarrod's wife) was constructed in the vineyard in September of 2004. 

It was designed to suit the production of small-lot handcrafted wines.  The production facility features:

  • Custom-made receiving station and sorting table to process all hand-picked fruit
  • Small open-top fermenting tanks that can be heated or cooled
  • Climatic controlled room with humidification control
  • Pneumatic punch down for gentle, quality fermentation control
  • A view that is priceless

       Overlooking the majestic Columbia River, the site of Alexandria Nicole Cellars' winery is an awe-inspiring backdrop for several special events for wine and food enthusiasts and for community fundraisers.

       With three separate tasting rooms throughout Washington State, it is easier than ever to taste the power of destiny in Alexandria Nicole Cellars wines; be sure to include one of ANC's three tasting rooms on your wine-touring itinerary for the Yakima Valley, Horse Heaven Hills or Woodinville, Washington. 

The Prosser Tasting Room & Tapas Café

       Located in the Food and Wine Park of Prosser, Washington – in close proximity to Hogue Cellars, C.R. Sandidge Wines, Cowan Vineyard and Kestrel Vintners – wine country travelers will find Alexandria Nicole Cellars' tasting room open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and its Tapas Café offering small plates, matched with Alexandria Nicole wines, available Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Selections include:
 

  • Assortment of Cheese Platters
  • Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Mango Salsa
  • Marinated Olives
  • House Green Salad
  • Portobello Mushroom
  • Spanakopita with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
  • Chocolate Fondue
  • Alternating Special Selections
  • Estate Wines and assorted beverages available

Destiny Ridge Vineyard

                 
       On the high bluffs overlooking the beautiful Columbia River, an area known as Horse Heaven Hills is home to the 327 acres that comprise Alexandria Nicole's Destiny Ridge Vineyard.  It is here, high on the dominate ridge line, that 17 grape varietals on 243 acres now are thriving.  The first vines for Destiny Ridge Vineyard were planted in the fall of 1998, seven years before Horse Heaven Hills was federally authorized as an official American Viticulture Area.

       Within the vineyard lie four different soil types, each producing unique flavors and characteristics in the specific varietals thriving there.  Each micro-climate proved to have its own message sent through its ripened grapes.  It was here that a passionate man learned patience;  Jarrod Boyle waited with optimistic excitement for the final fruits to come of age.  Working with many renowned winemakers, Jarrod began to learn, through experimentation in the winemaking process, to enhance and reflect the terroir of Destiny Ridge Vineyard in his finished product. 

       The soils and climatic conditions of Destiny Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills appellation (authorized as Washington's ninth in 2005) have shown themselves to favor many planted varietals. Destiny Ridge Vineyard contains a wide variety, including:

Riesling
Viognier
Sauvignon Blanc
Rousanne
Marsanne
Merlot
Malbec
Tempranillo
Mourvèdre
Syrah
Sangiovese
Grenache
Lemberger
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Petit Syrah
Petit Verdot

 

       The hills of Destiny Ridge Vineyard are geologic folds in the earth's crust which create consistent winds that blow across the land.  This characteristic is part of what established Horse Heaven Hills' appellation as distinct from the large Columbia Valley appellation that surrounds it;  wind lowers the risk of vineyard disease and pests, while it stresses the vines by drying them out.  Add quick-draining soils of silty loam to the mix of vineyard characteristics, and the need for irrigation becomes even more pronounced.  Drip irrigation is the canopy-management tool of choice to limit the vigor of the vines at Destiny Ridge.

       In addition to its distinctive topography, Destiny Ridge Vineyard benefits from its proximity to the Columbia River.  Although it sits approximately 800 feet above the river, the vineyard is relieved of temperature extremes suffered elsewhere, thanks to the modifying effects of the river (with its stirring of air currents) and the land's slope toward the river (draining cold air away from the vines). 

       All these factors help produce intense-flavored grapes with a structural balance of sugars and acids.  Add to these factors attentive viticulture management, including balanced crop levels, gentle hand-harvesting and processing of grapes, and you have the secrets behind consistently excellent harvests at Destiny Ridge Vineyard.

       Fruit not used for the wines of Alexandria Nicole Cellars is sold to 20 wineries under contract with Destiny Ridge Vineyard. 


DESTINY RIDGE ESTATE VINEYARD
158422 W Sonova Road
Horse Heaven Hills
509-832-3497
[MAP]

WINERY TASTING ROOM
Alexandria Nicole Cellars
at Destiny Ridge Vineyard
Open all summer: Daily 11 am - 5 pm

Vineyard tours and barrel tastings
are scheduled by appointment only.
To schedule yours, call 509-832-3497.



Featured Alexandria Nicole Wines

      Alexandria Nicole Cellars is passionate about winemaking.  It produces small lots of handcrafted wine from grapes it grows at Destiny Ridge Estate Vineyard.  Its goal is to make wines that are elegant, approachable, and true to the terroir.  

       Watch for the annual release of Angel's Blend, a traditional
five-grape Bordeaux-style wine from Destiny Ridge Vineyards.  Alexandria Nicole Cellars has selected Make The Dash Count foundation as their charity of choice and will donate revenues from Angel's Blend to this nonprofit youth empowerment program.

 

2006 Reserve Viognier
$18.00 per bottle - $216.00 per case
[Order Now]

The grapes from the 2006 vintage were carefully selected, as the crew scanned the vines for only the best fruit.  Plump, round berries that produced aromas of ripe pears, honeysuckle, melons, citrus and floral notes are accentuated with a lush, silky texture that finishes with a hint of sweetness complimented with a good acidity. Our Viognier was whole-cluster pressed, and tank fermented to produce a clean, crisp wine full of exotic fruit. Fermented in stainless steel.  Serve chilled for a wonderfully refreshing wine.  Cases produced: 1,203

Awards: 
"Outstanding" -
Pacific NW Wine Press
91 pts - Wine & Spirits Magazine (Sept 2007 issue)
2 1/2 Stars - The Chronicle's Wine Selections, West Coast Viogniers

2006 Shepherd's Mark
$20.00 per bottle - $240.00 per case
[Order Now]

This unique and flavorful white wine is a Rhone-style blend consisting of 68% Roussanne, 18% Viognier, and 14% Marsanne.  Barrel fermented in neutral oak and aged 7 months sur lees it emits layers of lemon peel adding a citrus nose that invite you to a crisp, viscous mouthfeel that lingers to a refreshing finish. In the early 1900's, pioneering sheepherders left their mark on the Columbia Valley in the form of Rock Monuments. These monuments, some still standing along the ridgeline of our Destiny Ridge Estate Vineyard, were used for marker identification, recreational pastime, artistic expression, and even as simply as to leave ones mark on the world. We dedicate this Rhone style blend to all pioneers of the Columbia Valley and continue our efforts to leave our mark on the world through the artistic expression of our wines.  Release limited to 484 cases.

Awards:
89 pts - Wine & Spirits Magazine (Sept 2007 issue)

2004 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Destiny Ridge Vineyard
$30.00 per bottle - $360.00 per case
[Order Now]

Carefully selected, blended and barrel aged for 22 months this estate Cabernet Sauvignon from our Destiny Ridge Estate Vineyard is loaded with dark berry flavors, hints of chocolate, rose petals, spice, pencil lead, dried herbs, tobacco, and toasty oak nuances. A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, and 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Its bold structure is balanced throughout with refined, yet powerful tannins that are backed by well integrated oak, pure complexity, and a lengthy finish.  Release is limited to 527 cases. 

Awards:
2 1/2 Stars
- The Chronicle's Wine Selections, Washington State
Bordeaux-style Red Blends

2004 Estate Merlot
Destiny Ridge Vineyard
$24.00 per bottle - $288.00 per case
[Order Now]

An Estate Merlot from Destiny Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. This Merlot elegantly expresses its layers of complexity. Barrel aged for 18 months in both French and American Oak the blend of 79% Merlot, 19% Malbec and 2% petit verdot has an intense bouquet of blackberry, spicy anise, and cedar with flavors that find their way to underlying touches of earthy tobacco, cocoa powder, and fruitwood smoke.  It is elegantly balanced, with subtle oak and refined tannins that are powered by its bold fruit flavors to a solid, lengthy finish. Release limited to 494 cases.

Awards: 
2007 Ray's Boathouse, 20th Annual Retrospective of Northwest wines top Merlot.
2007 Seattle Wine Awards Grand Award of Excellence
Silver 2004 Alexandria Nicole, Horse Heaven Hills

2003 Estate Syrah
$25.00 per bottle - $300.00 per case
[Order Now]

The 2003 Syrah passionately expresses the terroir of our Destiny Ridge Estate Vineyard.  Sourced from four distinct vineyard blocks and barrel aged for 18 months in both French and American Oak, this Estate Syrah has an expressive bouquet of raspberries and dark fruit that is complemented with its bold perfume spice, hints of wet stone minerals, violets, earthy leather, smoked meats, vanilla, and refreshing mocha.  Its initial lush fruit leads to a solid framework and richness to finish.  Release is limited to 916 cases. 

Awards:  "Excellent" - San Francisco Wine Chronicle, 12/26/06
Award winner of the 20th Annual Retrospective of Northwest Wines - "Rhone Style Reds"
Silver medal winner - 2005 Tri-Cities Wine Festival

2005 Quarry Butte
$20.00 per bottle - $240.00 per case
[Order Now]

This unique and flavorful white wine is a Rhone Blend consisting of 72% Rousanne, 16% Viognier, and 12% Marsanne.  Barrel fermented in neutral oak and aged 7 months sur lees, it emits layers of lemon zest and floral notes with hints of caramel and citrus that invite you to a crisp, viscous mouth-feel that lingers to refreshingly sexy finish.  In the early 1900’s, pioneering sheepherder’s left their mark on the Columbia Valley in the form of Rock Monuments.  These monuments, some still standing along the ridge line of our Destiny Ridge Estate Vineyard were used for marker identification, recreational pastime, artistic expression, and even as simply as to leave ones mark on the world.  We dedicate this Rhone Blend to all pioneers of the Columbia Valley and continue our efforts to leave our mark on the world through the artistic expression of our wines. Release limited to 521 cases.


 


How to find Alexandria Nicole Cellars' Prosser Tasting Room
Map to Prosser Tasting Room for Alexandria Nicole Cellars

How to find the Alexandria Nicole Cellars' winery,
Destiny Ridge Estate vineyard and Tasting Room, too.

How to find Alexandria Nicole Cellars' Woodinville Tasting Room
Woodinville Park North
Map to Woodinville Wine Tasting Room for Alexandria Nicole Cellars


              Yakima Valley Wineries map page link
 
Copyright © 2006 - 2007  Susan R. O'Hara.  All rights reserved.

Last revised: 08/03/2007